Nitric oxide metabolites and interleukin-6 in cerebrospinal fluid from multiple sclerosis patients

Eur J Neurol. 2002 Jul;9(4):413-8. doi: 10.1046/j.1468-1331.2002.00437.x.

Abstract

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and nitric oxide (NO) are implicated in the pathology of multiple sclerosis (MS). We have investigated the levels of these mediators in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 50 patients with MS and 23 control subjects. Mean CSF IL-6 level was higher in the total MS group in comparison with controls, but not significantly, whilst the difference between patients with stable MS and controls reached the level of statistical significance. Mean CSF nitrite/nitrate level was significantly higher in the total MS group compared with the control group, as well as in active MS patients versus controls. There was significant difference neither in the mean CSF IL-6 nor in nitrite/nitrate levels between active and stable MS patients. Interestingly, we observed a significant negative correlation between IL-6 and nitrite/nitrate levels in the CSF in the total MS group. Such a trend existed in both subgroups with active and stable MS, but without reaching the level of statistical significance. Our data further support the involvement of IL-6 and NO in ongoing pathological processes in MS, suggesting their potential interplay within the central nervous system in this disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Nitrates / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Nitric Oxide / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Nitrites / cerebrospinal fluid

Substances

  • Interleukin-6
  • Nitrates
  • Nitrites
  • Nitric Oxide