Serum level of il-1β in patients with ischemic stroke

Abstract

Background and purpose-IL-1β is a key inflammatory mediator driving the host response to infection, injury, and disease. It is produced by numerous cell types, including the brain parenchyma. Its levels are elevated as a result of increased production from inflammatory cells, glia and neurons and it is associated with exacerbation of injury in stroke. Conversely, it may be beneficial in protecting the brain from ischemia and it activates astrocytes which upon activation, they are considered to be the main source of antioxidant defense in the brain following ischemia. The aim of the study was to compare the levels of IL-1β in Sudanese patients with ischemic stroke and normal control subjects. Methodology–Thirty-five patients with ischemic stroke and 81 apparently healthy subjects were included in the study. Sera were collected from them in the morning and IL-1β was estimated using ELISA technique. Unpaired T-test (at the level of 0.05) was used to assess the significant difference in the means of the studied variables in the different groups. Results-The mean level of IL-1β (pg/ml) was significantly higher in patients with stroke compared with that of the control group (23.52±59.44 vs 9.86±7.41, p <0.001). Conclusion-IL-1 β, as a pro-inflammatory cytokine, in the combination with other risk factors for stroke might have a both positive and negative effect on the development and pathogenesis of the stroke and its severity. The major risk factors are old age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and obesity.