Elevated Inflammatory Markers in a Group of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients from Northern India |
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Authors: | G Nagesh Babu Alok Kumar Ramesh Chandra S K Puri Jayantee Kalita U K Misra |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Neurology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, UP, 226014, India;(2) Division of Parasitology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India |
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Abstract: | The role of cytokines in the pathophysiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and its relation to clinical outcome has
not been clearly defined. We evaluated tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and nitric oxide (NO) levels
in the serum of 22 ALS patients and 20 controls. Serum TNF-α levels and IFN-γ levels were significantly (P < 0.001) elevated in ALS patients. We also observed NO levels to be significantly (P < 0.05) increased with respect to normal subjects. We further noticed positive correlation between the duration of ALS and
these proinflammatory molecule levels. Exitotoxicity and oxidative stress are known to play a crucial role in the neurodegeneration
observed in ALS. Since high levels of TNF-α are known to be cytotoxic, it could be that a complex interplay of these effectors
may be one of the factors underlying the progression of ALS. This study confirms the involvement of inflammation in ALS and
the need to develop surrogate markers to check the progression of this disease. |
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Keywords: | Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Tumor necrosis factor-α Interferon-γ Nitric oxide Inflammation |
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