Abstract
Studies of skin in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have demonstrated morphological and biochemical alterations. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been suggested to have a trophic effect in nerve cells and to have a direct pathogenic role in neurodegenerative central nervous system (CNS) disorders. However, little is known concerning IL-6 in ALS patients. We examined IL-6 immunoreactivity of biopsy specimens of skin and measured serum IL-6 levels from 11 ALS patients and 11 diseased control subjects. IL-6 immunoreactivity was markedly positive in the epidermis and dermal blood vessels and glands and was moderately positive in the reticular dermis in all ALS patients. These optical densities for IL-6 immunoreactivity in ALS patients were significantly higher than in control subjects, and were significantly increased with duration of illness. Serum IL-6 levels were detected in 8 (73%) of 11 ALS patients compared with only 1 (9%) of 11 diseased control subjects. Serum IL-6 levels were significantly correlated with duration of illness in ALS patients and immunoreactivity of IL-6 of the epidermis. These data suggest that the increased levels of serum IL-6 may reflect an increased IL-6 immunoreactivity of skin in ALS patients.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
