Changes of Serum Interleukin-6 & Interleukin-10 in Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency

Ji, Kwang Taek; Yoo, Bong Goo; Lee, Ji Hyun; Kim, Min Jeong; Kim, Kwang Soo

Abstract

BACKGROUND
A few studies have revealed increased levels of certain cytokines in patients with ischemic stroke. Cytokine changes have not been studied in patients with transient ischemic attack(TIA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the temporal profile of the inflammatory response in patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) and to compare the inflammatory response between TIA and infarction through analyzing serum interleukin(IL)-6 and IL-10.
METHODS
We serially measured the serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 in 14 patients with VBI, 12 patients with vertebrobasilar territoy infarction, and 21 patients with lacunar infarction at the timing of admission, at 1 day after symptom onset, and at 5 day after symptom onset. Cytokines were measured by sandwich ELISA method.
RESULTS
The IL-6 level obtained at day 1 was significantly elevated compared with the normal control group in patients with TIA (p<0.05). The IL-6 level at day 1 was the highest in patients with VBI. The level of IL-10 in patients with VBI was significantly higher than normal group at all time points(p<0.05). The IL-10 level at the timing of admission was the highest in patients with VBI. But the serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 between VBI and vertebrobasilar territory and lacunar infarction groups did not show any differences.
CONCLUSION
These findings show that pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in serum are elevated in patients with TIA. These results suggest that cytokine cascade occurs in TIA.