J. Peltola et al., Interleukin-6 and Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in cerebrospinal fluidfrom patients with recent tonic-clonic seizures, EPILEPSY R, 41(3), 2000, pp. 205-211
We have previously reported increased concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6
in CSF from patients with tonic-clonic seizures, where increased cytokine p
roduction most likely is a consequence of neuronal epileptic activity assoc
iated with seizures. The biological effects of IL-6 are mediated by other c
ytokines, which are studied here in addition to IL-6. The purpose of this s
tudy was to analyze levels of soluble cytokines from plasma and CSF from pa
tients with newly developed tonic-clonic seizures. The concentrations of IL
-6, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), IL-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor (TN
F alpha) and nerve growth factor (NGF) were measured from plasma and CSF fr
om 22 patients with newly developed tonic-clonic seizures within 24 h from
the seizure and 18 controls. The mean concentrations of IL-6 were significa
ntly increased in CSF (P < 0.001) and plasma (P < 0.01) after tonic-clonic
seizures, there was some indication of increased concentrations of IL-IRA a
nd no significant change in NGF, IL-1 beta or TNF alpha. Our study shows th
at cytokine network is activated in patients after recent tonic-clonic seiz
ures. We provide evidence of intrathecal production of IL-6 associated with
electrical seizure activity. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights res
erved.