Mochol Monika, Taubøll Erik, Aukrust Pål, Ueland Thor, Andreassen Ole A, Svalheim Sigrid
Department of Neurology, Østfold Hospital Trust, Norway; ERGO - Epilepsy Research Group of Oslo, Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway.
ERGO - Epilepsy Research Group of Oslo, Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway.
Seizure. 2020 Aug;80:221-225. doi: 10.1016/j.seizure.2020.05.018. Epub 2020 May 29.
Proinflammatory cytokines seems to play a role in epileptogenesis independent of the underlying cause. The purpose of this study was to assess if IL-18 and its binding protein IL-18BP are related to epilepsy and could act as a predictive biomarker for epileptogenesis.
In this cross-sectional study, circulating levels of IL-18 and IL-18BP were analysed in 119 epilepsy patients, and 80 healthy controls. Participants completed a questionnaire regarding epilepsy, use of drug(-s) and comorbidity.
Epilepsy patients had significantly higher serum levels of IL-18 (p = 0.003) and IL-18BP (p = 0.009) than healthy controls. The groups differed in sex, age and weight, however none of those variables were significantly correlated with IL-18 and IL-18BP in patients or controls. Weight was considered an important confounder in our study. Subgroup investigations revealed that in participants with BMI under 30 kg/m², serum IL-18 (p = 0.032) and IL-18BP (p = 0.029) remained significantly higher in patients than controls. Further analyses showed significantly higher concentration of IL-18 among participants using carbamazepine (CBZ) (p = 0.016) or lamotrigine (LTG) (p = 0.024), but not in those using levetiracetam (LEV) (p = 0.102) compared to controls. No associations were found between serum levels of IL-18 and IL-18BP and epilepsy duration, seizures type, or presence of seizures in the last six months.
The study shows an elevation of IL-18 and IL-18BP serum levels in epilepsy patients. This result indicates the presence of a low-grade systemic inflammation involving IL-18 in epilepsy. Further investigations should explore the character and clinical impact of IL-18 as well its possible role as a biomarker for epilepsy.
促炎细胞因子似乎在癫痫发生过程中发挥作用，且与潜在病因无关。本研究的目的是评估白细胞介素-18（IL-18）及其结合蛋白IL-18BP是否与癫痫相关，并能否作为癫痫发生的预测生物标志物。
在这项横断面研究中，分析了119例癫痫患者和80名健康对照者循环中的IL-18和IL-18BP水平。参与者完成了一份关于癫痫、药物使用和合并症的问卷。
癫痫患者血清IL-18水平（p = 0.003）和IL-18BP水平（p = 0.009）显著高于健康对照者。两组在性别、年龄和体重方面存在差异，然而这些变量在患者或对照者中均与IL-18和IL-18BP无显著相关性。体重被认为是本研究中的一个重要混杂因素。亚组研究显示，在体重指数（BMI）低于30kg/m²的参与者中，患者血清IL-18（p = 0.032）和IL-18BP（p = 0.029）仍显著高于对照者。进一步分析表明，与对照者相比，使用卡马西平（CBZ）（p = 0.016）或拉莫三嗪（LTG）（p = 0.024）的参与者中IL-18浓度显著更高，但使用左乙拉西坦（LEV）的参与者中未发现这种情况（p = 0.102）。未发现血清IL-18和IL-18BP水平与癫痫病程、发作类型或过去六个月内发作情况之间存在关联。
该研究表明癫痫患者血清IL-18和IL-18BP水平升高。这一结果表明癫痫中存在涉及IL-18的轻度全身性炎症。进一步的研究应探讨IL-18的特性和临床影响及其作为癫痫生物标志物的可能作用。
