Blocking of interleukin-1 activity is a beneficial approach to ischemia brain edema formation.

We examined the therapeutic value of an interleukin-1 inhibitor on brain edema formation using a transient focal ischemia model in rats. Rats were given an interleukin-1 blocker, or interleukin-1 release inhibitor immediately after reperfusion. In rats treated with interleukin-1 inhibitor, ischemic brain edema 1 day after reperfusion was significantly decreased compared to that of saline-treated control rats. The simultaneous application of an IL-1 release inhibitor and a lipoxygenase inhibitor showed an additive beneficial effect on brain edema formation. These findings suggest that blocking IL-1 activity ameliorates brain edema and attenuates the neuronal damage induced by focal transient ischemia in rats.