Anti-inflammatory effects of levetiracetam in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
Levetiracetam (LEV) is an established anticonvulsant with numerous mechanisms of action. Apart from its anti-epileptic effects, recent experimental studies suggest anti-inflammatory properties via modulation of interleukin (IL)-1β and transforming-growth-factor (TGF)-β1. However, its anti-inflammatory properties have not yet been examined in an autoimmune inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS). We investigated LEV anti-inflammatory properties in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an established mouse model of multiple sclerosis. FACS analyses, ELISA, histology and rt-PCR experiments were done to explore potential anti-inflammatory effects. In line with prior studies, we demonstrate that LEV modulates both the relative gene expression and secretion of IL-1β and TGF-1β. However, these changes were not sufficient to alter the disease course or histological parameters. Additionally, LEV showed no effects on the absolute number of different immune cell subsets. In summary, LEV showed only minor anti-inflammatory effects not sufficient to ameliorate disease course in an autoimmune inflammatory disease of CNS.
Department of Neurology at St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany. Jan_Thoene@gmx.de
Jan
J
Thöne
Gisa
G
Ellrichmann
Pedro M
PM
Faustmann
Ralf
R
Gold
Aiden
A
Haghikia
D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018450:Disease Progression; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D056747:Immunomodulation; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D063308:Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein / Q000276:immunology; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology; D010889:Piracetam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D063308:Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; C445081:myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (35-55); D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam