| Popis: |
Purpose: Proinflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-?) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1ß) enhance inflammation and may contribute to the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the presence of these cytokines in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with different clinical types and disease activity, and to determine their relationship with disability. Methods: We measured TNF-? and IL-1ß levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples from 22 patients with MS and 18 patients with other neurological diseases (OND) using commercially available immunoradiometric assay kits. Results: In serum, TNF-? was detected in all patients, IL-1ß was detected in 20 patients with MS and in 16 patients with OND. In CSF, all patients had detectable levels of both cytokines. The serum cytokine levels of patients with MS and patients with OND were not statistically different. However, in CSF, regardless of the clinical type, patients with active MS had higher levels of both cytokines compared to patients with stable MS and OND. There was no correlation between the levels of these cytokines and the disability. Conclusion: These data provide evidence that TNF-? and IL-1ß levels in CSF can be used as an activity criteria in MS. |
