Pro-inflammatory Cytokines In Children Research Articles

The effect of cholecalciferol subsidies on the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines in children with bronchial asthma

The effect of cholecalciferol subsidies on the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines in children with bronchial asthma

New Pro-inflammatory Cytokines in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Patients with Microvascular Complications

Abstract Background Type 1 diabetes mellitus has become a global health burden, and poor glycemic control, in combination with prolonged diabetes duration, leads to the early development of microvascular complications, including diabetic kidney disease, retinopathy, and neuropathy. Therefore, it is urgent to establish new biomarkers for the early identification of at-risk patients. Objectives To investigate the role of inflammatory proteins (human growth differentiation factor 15 and interleukin 29) in the course of microvascular complications and glycemic control in T1DM. Patients and Methods Our study included 40 children with T1DM (18 T1DM patients had microvascular complications and 22 T1DM patients were free of these complications; their ages ranged from 8 to 18 years); there was also another T1DM subgroup based on glycemic control (11 T1DM patients had controlled HbA1c < 7% and 29 patients had uncontrolled HbA1C > 7%). 40 children of the same age were selected as a control group. The diagnosis of TIDM was made based on the criteria of the International Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) (2022). A detailed medical history was collected, including the age of onset of diabetes, disease duration, and symptoms of diabetic complications. In the study, GDF15 and IL29 values in serum blood were investigated using the ELISA method. Results The mean age was 14.05 years in the diabetic group and 13.25 years in the control group (P = 0.178). In the T1DM patient group, the GDF15 and IL29 values were found to be significantly higher than those in the control group (P = 0.041 and 0.013, respectively). In diabetic patients, GDF15 was significantly higher in the complicated T1DM group versus the uncomplicated group (P = 0.001). Furthermore, GDF15 levels were significantly higher in uncontrolled patients with HbA1C > 7% than in the control group with HbA1C < 7% (P = 0.004); however, no significant statistical differences in IL29 levels were found between diabetic patient subgroups (P > 0.05). Conclusion The data from this study showed that GDF15 has an impact on glycemic control and that the presence of microvascular complications in the course of T1DM is very possible, but IL29 does not appear to play a role in the course of microvascular complications.

Peculiarities of cytokine and chemokine content in blood serum of children with psoriasis vulgaris

Psoriasis is a chronic auto-inflammatory skin disease with a hereditary predisposition due to the activation of T-lymphocytes and the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The pathogenesis involves populations of Th1 and Th17 lymphocytes that produce TNFa, IFNy, IL-17, IL-21 and IL-23. The aim of the study was to identify the features of the content of cytokines and chemokines in the blood serum of children with psoriasis. 88 children with psoriasis of varying severity were examined. The level of circulating cytokines was determined by the multiplex method on the Bio-plex 200 device using the MILLIPLEX MAP Human Th17 kit. In children with psoriasis, increased levels of IL-23, IL-22, IL-12p70, IL-27, IL-17E, IL-17F and TNFa were detected. The consistency of the functioning of the cytokine network in children with psoriasis was shown, which was expressed in the high strength of the connection between cytokines of the IL-17 family and cytokines of the IL-12 family, between IL-31 and IL-33, as well as in significant correlations between GM-CSF and cytokines IL-2, IL-5, IL-9, IL-10, IL-15 and TNFa. In children with psoriasis, the dependence of the level of IL-17A, TNFa, IL-2, IL-6, IL-9, CCL20/MIP3a with the severity of the disease according to PASI was revealed. The study confirmed the pathogenetic role of the cytokine network in the development and maintenance of an inflammatory response in children with psoriasis. The data obtained substantiate the need for targeted anti-cytokine therapy. The level of proinflammatory cytokines in children with psoriasis can be used as an additional laboratory criterion for the severity of the condition and monitoring the effectiveness of therapy.

Influence of drugs of protocol therapy on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines of t-lymphocytes of children with bronchial asthma

ABSTRACT. At the current stage of solving the problem in the pathogenesis of atopic BA in moderate-severe and severe course of the disease, the leading role is played by pro-inflammatory cytokines of T-lymphocytes and factors of the late phase of allergic inflammation. Goal. To determine the effect of the drugs of the therapy protocol recommended by GINA (2021) and the Ministry of Health of Ukraine No. 2856 on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in children with AD. Materials and methods. The study was conducted in 106 patients with BA and 20 healthy children aged 5 to 14 years in the period of disease remission before and after therapy. The impact of the protocol therapy scheme on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and their antibody control in children with different degrees of severity of the course of the disease was evaluated. The results. In asthma in children with a mild persistent course, protocol therapy reduces the release of mediators of the early phase of the allergic disease and the partial production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which leads to clinical remission of the disease. With a moderately severe persistent course of AD, the influence of protocol therapy drugs reduce the level of production of pro-inflammatory cytokines to weakly positive values, which indicates incomplete control of therapy and unstable clinical remission. In severe persistent AD, protocol therapy partially reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, but does not affect the late phase of allergic inflammation and the autoimmune component of the pathogenesis of the disease. Conclusions. The recommended GINA protocol therapy (2021) eliminates the early phase and does not affect the late phase of allergic inflammation and the autoimmune component. This requires the development of additional therapy for moderate and severe asthma in children.

The expression of Nrf2 and TLRs in ear effusion in children with different types of otitis media and their relationship with inflammatory factors

ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyze the differences in the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in ear effusion in children with different types of otitis media (OM), to elaborate the relationship between the expression of TLRs and Nrf2 in ear effusion and the pathogenesis of OM, and to explore the relationship between the two indicators and pro-inflammatory cytokines in children with OM, thereby laying a scientific foundation for revealing the underlying molecular mechanisms of the progression of different types of OM. MethodsA total of 73 children with OM who were treated in our hospital from March 2019 to July 2021 were selected as the study subjects. By using the cross-sectional investigation method, participants were divided into three groups according to the different pathological types, including the secretory OM group (30 cases), the chronic suppurative OM group (27 cases), and the cystic lesional OM group (16 cases). The levels of Nrf2, TLR2, TLR4 and proinflammatory cytokines [interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β 1(TGF-β1), procalcitonin (PCT) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)] were detected in ear effusion of children with different types of OM. Linear regression was used to analyze the correlation between the Nrf2, TLR2 and TLR4 expression levels and pro-inflammatory cytokines in ear effusion. ResultsThe expression levels of TNF-α and PCT in the ear effusion of the children under 3 years old were significantly higher than that of the children between 3 and 5 years old and that of the children between 6 and 8 years old (all P < 0.001). The mRNA levels of Nrf2, TLR2 and TLR4 in the ear effusion of the children from the chronic suppurative OM group were higher than these from the secretory OM group (P < 0.001, P = 0.008 and P = 0.021). The mRNA levels of Nrf2, TLR2, and TLR4 in the ear effusion of the children from the cystic lesional OM group were higher than those from the chronic suppurative OM group (P < 0.001, P = 0.029 and P = 0.018). A prominent increase in the concentrations of IFN-γ, TNF-α, TGF-β1, PCT and IL-1β was found in the ear effusion of children from the chronic suppurative OM group compared to these from the secretory OM group (P = 0.021, P = 0.044, P = 0.048, P = 0.004 and P = 0.001). The concentrations of IFN-γ, TNF-α, TGF-β1, PCT and IL-1β in the ear effusion of the children from the cystic lesional OM group were markedly increased as compared with these from the chronic suppurative OM group (P < 0.001, P = 0.004, P = 0.003, P < 0.001 and P < 0.001). Nrf2, TLR2 and TLR4 were taken as independent variables, and inflammatory indexes, including IFN-γ, TNF-α, TGF-β1, PCT and IL-1β were used as dependent variables for the linear regression analysis. The results showed that Nrf2, TLR2 and TLR4 were positively correlated with the secretion levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines after adjusting for age, sex, course and the OM classification (all P < 0.05). ConclusionThe expressions of Nrf2, TLR2 and TLR4 in the ear effusion of children with different types of OM gradually increased with the severity of the disease, these were significantly positively correlated with the pro-inflammatory cytokines of the children. Nrf2/TLR signaling pathway maintained chronic inflammation in OM, induced damage of middle ear tissue, and promoted the transition from acute OM to chronic OM.

Impact of vitamin D in children with chronic tonsillitis (immunohistochemical study of CD68 polarisation and proinflammatory cytokines estimation)

Inflammatory processes are increasingly attributed to macrophage polarization. Proinflammatory macrophages promote T helper (Th) 1 response, tissue repair, and Th2 responses. Detection of macrophages in tissue sections is facilitated by CD68. Our study is focused on the expression of CD68 and the estimation of proinflammatory cytokines in children’s patients with chronic tonsillitis secondary to vitamin D supplementation. This hospital-based Randomized prospective case–control study was conducted on 80 children with chronic tonsillitis associated with vitamin D deficiency where (40 received vitamin D 50,000 IU weekly for 3–6 months and 40 received 5 ml distilled water as placebo). The serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] was measured using an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on all included children. Different histological and immunohistochemical studies for the detection of CD68 were done. There was a significantly lower serum level of 25(OH)D in the placebo group versus the vitamin D group (P < 0.001). The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNFα, and IL-2 significantly increased in the placebo group as compared to the vitamin D group (P < 0.001). The increased level of IL-4 and IL-10 in the placebo group as compared to the vitamin D group was insignificant (P = 0.32, 0.82) respectively. Vitamin D supplementation alleviated the deleterious effect of chronic tonsillitis on the histological structure of the tonsil. Tonsillar tissues of the children in the control and vitamin D groups demonstrated a highly statistically significantly lower number of CD68 immunoexpressing cells compared with those in the placebo group (P < 0.001). Low vitamin D may play a role in chronic tonsillitis. Vitamin D supplementation could help reduce the occurrence of chronic tonsillitis in susceptible children.

Analysis of selected pro-inflammatory cytokines: IL-1β, IL-6, CXCL-8, and TNF-α in children with seizure disorders during acute infection. Is there a specific pro-inflammatory cytokine profile in these patients?

Introduction and objective: This study aimed to analyse the levels of selected pro-inflammatory cytokines in children with seizures during acute infection. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Infectious Diseases and Child Neurology of the Poznan University of Medical Sciences from 19 January 2017 to 5 December 2020. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured in 64 patients with febrile seizures and 11 patients after an epileptic seizure in generalised epilepsy. The control group comprised 46 patients with delayed development. Serum pro-inflammatory cytokines were determined using the BioLegend’s ELISA MAX™ Deluxe Set. Pathogens were detected by standard diagnostic methods. Total white blood cell count, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin were determined using standard diagnostic methods. Results: Significantly higher levels of all analysed pro-inflammatory cytokines were found in patients with simple and simple plus febrile seizures; interleukin 6, CXCL-8 in those with complex febrile seizures; interleukin 6, CXCL-8, tumour necrosis factor α following epileptic seizure. The intensity of the inflammatory response in simple and simple plus febrile seizure patients corresponded to significantly higher levels of all pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory markers. Pro-inflammatory profiles differed depending on the aetiology of the infection. Significantly higher levels interleukin 6, CXCL-8, tumour necrosis factor α were found in simple and simple plus febrile seizure patients infected with human herpesvirus-6 compared to the control group. Conclusions: In patients with febrile seizures and epileptic seizures, the involvement of interleukin 1β, interleukin 6, CXCL-8, and tumour necrosis factor α was confirmed in the inflammatory process, with a different distribution in the analysed groups. Pro-inflammatory cytokine profiles varied depending on the infectious aetiology.

Increased Systemic Inflammatory Response with Mast Cell Activation In Elder Children With Cerebral Palsy

Objective: Increased systemic inflammatory response during intrauterine period or period before the age of 3 is associated with cerebral palsy (CP) pathogenesis; however, effects of inflammatory processes involving mast cell activation in elder children with CP remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the role of mast cells and proinflammatory cytokines in children with CP at 3-18 years of age.&#x0D; Methods: In this cross-sectional study, venous blood samples were obtained from 30 volunteers with CP and 26 healthy volunteers at 3-18 years of age. Plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-9) and mast cell biomarkers (histamine and tryptase beta-2) were determined using ELISA.&#x0D; Results: IL-1β, IL-6 and histamine levels were higher in individuals with CP compared to healthy controls. Likewise, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-9 and histamine levels were higher in the female patients with CP compared to the male patients, and in the female patients in adolescence compared to the female patients in pre-adolescence.&#x0D; Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the increased inflammatory response contributes to the pathogenesis of the disease in children with CP who are older than 2 years of age. Moreover the increased inflammatory response is more effective in female patients than in male patients, suggesting that there may be a gender difference in CP. Additionally mast cell activation contributes to the exacerbation of systemic inflammatory response in children with CP at 3-18 years of age.

Association of fracture configuration and callus formation with a concentration of proinflammatory cytokines in children with long bone fractures

Background/Aim. The inflammatory response is of utmost importance in bone healing, but the precise role of cells and cytokines remains unclear. In our study, we examined the association between interleukin-1? (IL-1?), tumor necrosis factors alpha (TNF-?), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) concentrations, fracture configuration, and callus formation. Methods. Serum cytokine concentrations were determined in 78 non-obese children with long bone fractures (group 1), 10 children with finger fractures (group 2), and 10 healthy controls (group 3). Blood samples were taken immediately after fracture upon hospital admission for groups 1 and 2. Differences in cytokine concentrations were analyzed among groups and catego-rized according to fracture configuration and callus formation. Results. IL-1? and TNF-? levels were lower in patients that went on to produce incomplete callus compared with patients that formed complete callus. Surprisingly, the average IL-1? concentration was highest in the healthy control group. The only significant correlation between IL-1? and TNF-? was in the group with moderate callus formation. MCP-1 level was slightly increased in all patient groups compared to controls, with no mutual difference. An average IL-8 level showed a clear decrease tendency from the group with incompletely formed callus toward the group with completely formed callus compared to controls, without significant difference. Children with epiphysiolysis had the lowest concentrations of cytokines compared with all other fracture types including transverse, oblique, and spiral. There were significantly lower concentrations of IL-1? and MCP-1 in patients with less fragment displacement compared with patients with greater fragment displacement. Conclusion. The systemic inflammatory response is important in physiological bone healing. High early production of IL-1?, TNF-?, and MCP-1 is associated with greater callus formation and better healing outcome, while increased IL-8 level is associated with poor callus formation and worse healing outcome. Our results indicate that epiphysiolysis and larger fragment displacement are associated with delayed fracture healing.

Predictive Value of Serum Interleukins in Children with Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines have been suggested in the pathogenesis of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS), with conflicting results. This study was performed to identify alteration of different serum interleukins (ILs) in children with INS, and their predictive value in response to steroid treatment. Three groups of children (27; steroid-sensitive INS, 21; steroid-resistant INS, and 19 healthy controls) with normal serum C3, negative serologic tests of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immune deficiency virus (HIV), and parasitic infections were included in this study. Serum concentrations of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-13, and IL-18 were measured, using quantitative colorimetric sandwich ELISA kits. Children with secondary nephrotic syndrome, inflammations, systemic disorders, and chronic kidney disease were excluded. The serum concentration of all ILs; except IL-13 and IL-18; was significantly higher in children with INS, compared with the healthy controls. Serum IL-2 had the highest sensitivity of (95.24%) in patients with INS. All of the serum ILs had acceptable accuracy in children with INS, compared with the control group. The serum concentration of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 was significantly higher in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS), compared with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). All of these ILs had acceptable accuracy for the prediction of steroid response in patients with INS. Our findings suggested the pathogenic role of pro-inflammatory cytokines in children with INS, of which IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 were accurate biomarkers for the prediction of steroid response in these patients.

Osteocalcin and osteoprotegerin levels and their relationship with adipokines and proinflammatory cytokines in children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

ObjectivesTo investigate the relationship between osteocalcin and osteoprotegerin as bone markers and inflammatory biomarkers such as adiponectin, leptin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). MethodsThis study included 40 obese children with NAFLD as the patient group and 40 healthy obese children of matched age, sex and BMI as the control group. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, Homeostatic model assessment method of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), lipid profile, osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin, adiponectin, leptin, TNF-α, and IL-6 were measured in all participants. ResultsChildren with NAFLD had a significant decrease in osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin and adiponectin level with a significant increase in TNF-α and IL-6 levels. We also found a significant positive correlation between osteocalcin level and adiponectin levels but a significant negative correlation of osteocalcin with each of leptin and TNF-α. However, there was a significant negative correlation between osteoprotegerin levels and both TNF-α and IL-6 levels. Moreover, adiponectin and TNF-α were significant predictors for osteocalcin, and IL-6 was a significant predictor for osteoprotegerin. ConclusionAdiponectin, leptin, TNF-α, and IL-6 have potential association with the changes of osteocalcin and osteoprotegerin levels in children with NAFLD.

Plasma level of pro-inflammatory cytokines in children with atopic dermatitis.

Plasma level of pro-inflammatory cytokines in children with atopic dermatitis.

High co-expression of TNF-\u03b1 and CARDS toxin is a good predictor for refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia

BackgroundEarly distinction between refractory M. pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP) and non-RMPP (NRMPP) is still difficult. The community-acquired respiratory distress syndrome (CARDS) toxin can induce inflammatory and histopathological phenotypes associated with M. pneumoniae infection. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of CARDS toxin and pro-inflammatory cytokines in children with RMPP and to explore whether CARDS toxin can induce TNF-α expression.MethodsLevels of CARDS toxin and cytokines in BALF from control and children with MPP were determined by real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively. A receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic values of CARDS toxin, TNF-α, and IL-6 in RMPP. The recombinant CARDS toxin was constructed and prepared at different concentrations for stimulation of RAW264.7 cells. After co-culture with CARDS toxin, cytokines were detected by ELISA and the mRNA levels were measured by real-time PCR. Effects of CARDS toxin and TNF-α on inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus secretion in mouse lungs were also evaluated.ResultsLevels of CARDS toxin, TNF-α and IL-6 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were significantly higher in RMPP cases compared with NRMPP cases. Furthermore, TNF-α had better diagnostic ability for differentiation of RMPP with AUC of 0.824 and Youden index of 0.692 compared with CARDS toxin and IL-6. Moreover, CARDS toxin was positively correlated with TNF-α level in MPP cases. In vitro assay revealed that CARDS toxin induced RAW264.7 macrophages to secrete TNF-α. Further in vivo assay showed that TNF-α deletion partially abrogated the CARDS toxin-mediated induction of inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus secretion in mouse lungs.ConclusionsThe high co-expression of TNF-α and CARDS toxin in BALF is a good diagnostic biomarker for differentiating children with RMPP and NRMPP.

Serum concentrations of selected proinflammatory cytokines in children with alopecia areata.

IntroductionAlopecia areata (AA) is considered an autoimmune disorder characterized by patchy loss of hair from the scalp and other body parts. Many patients develop the disease in childhood.AimTo answer the question whether abnormal production of some proinflammatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, IL-15, IL-17A and IFNγ) in children with AA may facilitate the development or progression of the disease.Material and methodsThe study group consisted of 42 children with AA, the control group – 37 healthy children. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from patients with AA and healthy controls and the concentrations of serum cytokines, namely IL-2, IL-6, IL-15, IL-17A, IFN-γ were determined quantitatively by ELISA method.ResultsThe serum IL-6, IL-15, IL-17A and IFNγ levels were significantly increased in patients with AA compared with control subjects (p < 0.05). The serum IL-15 level was found to be increased when the total duration of AA was increased (q = 0.30; p = 0.05). The serum cytokine level of IL-17A was found to be decreased when duration of the current episode was longer than 2 years (p < 0.05), but the correlation between IL-17A serum level and duration of the current episode was not confirmed in the Spearman test (q = –0.06; p = 0.68). The serum IL-17A level was found to be significantly decreased when the thyroiditis was present (q = –2.378; p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe increased levels of serum IL-6, IL-15, IL-17A and IFNγ in children suggest imbalance in the serum proinflammatory cytokines production in AA.

Level of proinflammatory cytokines in children with various clinical forms of functional dyspepsia

Objective was to study the level of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1α (IL-1α) in the blood of children with various forms of functional dyspepsia in accordance with various endoscopic changes of the gastric mucosa. Materials and methods. 79 school age children with functional dyspepsia were examined. The diagnosis was made in accordance with the recommendations of the Rome Criteria IV (2016). All patients underwent endoscopic examination of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum to exclude destructive changes of the mucous membrane. The level of TNF-α and IL-1α in the blood serum was determined by enzyme immunoassay. Statistical processing of the results obtained was performed using Microsoft Excel 2010. Results. The average level of TNF-α in the total group was 463.22±27.4 pg/ml, which statistically significantly exceeded this indicator in the control group (26.76±1.10 pg/ml; p&lt;0.01). The IL-1α value in the total group was 148.6±6.06 pg/ml and was significantly higher in comparison with the control group (53.29±3.28 pg/ml; p&lt;0.01). The level of proinflammatory cytokines in the group of children with epigastric pain syndrome was significantly higher than in the group of children with postprandial distress syndrome. Endoscopic examination showed the presence of unchanged mucous membrane in only 25.3% of children. Erythematous gastroduodenopathy was observed in 74.7% of children and was typical mainly for patients with epigastric pain syndrome (97.7%; p&lt;0.05). Conclusions. The level of pro-inflammatory cytokines in children with functional dyspepsia is increased. When comparing the clinical variants of the disease, a significant increase in the level of TNFα, and IL-1α in children with epigastric pain syndrome was found. In the same group of children, endoscopic changes in the gastric mucosa were more pronounced. Further study of changes in the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines in children with functional dyspepsia may allow this to be used as one of the methods for the differential diagnosis of functional dyspepsia and chronic gastritis.

Associations between socioeconomic factors and proinflammatory cytokines in children, adolescents and young adults: a systematic review protocol

IntroductionThere is now substantial evidence of a social gradient in bone health. Social stressors, related to socioeconomic status, are suggested to produce an inflammatory response marked by increased levels of...

Plasma cytokines associated with febrile status epilepticus in children: A potential biomarker for acute hippocampal injury.

Our aim was to explore the association between plasma cytokines and febrile status epilepticus (FSE) in children, as well as their potential as biomarkers of acute hippocampal injury. Analysis was performed on residual samples of children with FSE (n=33) aspart of the Consequences of Prolonged Febrile Seizures in Childhood study (FEBSTAT) and compared to children with fever (n=17). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was obtained as part of FEBSTAT within 72h of FSE. Cytokine levels and ratios of antiinflammatory versus proinflammatory cytokines in children with and without hippocampal T2 hyperintensity were assessed as biomarkers of acute hippocampal injury after FSE. Levels of interleukin (IL)-8 and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were significantly elevated after FSE in comparison to controls. IL-1β levels trended higher and IL-1RA trended lower following FSE, but did not reach statistical significance. Children with FSE were found to have significantly lower ratios of IL-1RA/IL-1β and IL-1RA/IL-8. Specific levels of any one individual cytokine were not associated with FSE. However, lower ratios of IL-1RA/IL-1β, IL-1RA/1L-6, and IL-1RA/ IL-8 were all associated with FSE. IL-6 and IL-8 levels were significantly higher and ratios of IL-1RA/IL-6 and IL-1RA/IL-8 were significantly lower in children with T2 hippocampal hyperintensity on MRI after FSE in comparison to those without hippocampal signal abnormalities. Neither individual cytokine levels nor ratios of IL-1RA/IL-1β or IL-1RA/IL-8 were predictive of MRI changes. However, a lower ratio of IL-1RA/IL-6 was strongly predictive (odds ratio [OR] 21.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17-393) of hippocampal T2 hyperintensity after FSE. Our data support involvement of the IL-1 cytokine system, IL-6, and IL-8 in FSE in children. The identification of the IL-1RA/IL-6 ratio as a potential biomarker of acute hippocampal injury following FSE is the most significant finding. If replicated in another study, the IL-1RA/IL-6 ratio could represent a serologic biomarker that offers rapid identification of patients at risk for ultimately developing mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE).

Pro-inflammatory Cytokines in Psychiatric Disorders in Children and Adolescents: A Review.

Cytokines are a large group of small proteins which play a significant role in cell signaling and regulate a variety of processes in organisms, including proliferation and differentiation of many cells, mediation in defense reactions and regulation of hematopoiesis. Cytokines can be divided into those with pro- and those with anti-inflammatory properties. In the group of pro-inflammatory cytokines the most important are: IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma. Pro-inflammatory cytokines might be involved in the pathophysiology of many psychiatric conditions in adults, but their role in children and adolescents is less clear. The aim of this article is to demonstrate the patterns of pro-inflammatory cytokines in children and adolescents.

Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in Psychiatric Disorders in Children and Adolescents: A Review.

Cytokines are a large group of small proteins which play a significant role in cell signaling and regulate a variety of processes in organisms, including proliferation and differentiation of many cells, mediation in defense reactions and regulation of hematopoiesis. Cytokines can be divided into those with pro- and those with anti-inflammatory properties. In the group of pro-inflammatory cytokines the most important are: IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma. Pro-inflammatory cytokines might be involved in the pathophysiology of many psychiatric conditions in adults, but their role in children and adolescents is less clear. The aim of this article is to demonstrate the patterns of pro-inflammatory cytokines in children and adolescents.

Serum proinflammatory cytokines and nutritional status in pediatric chronic liver disease.

To evaluate the nutritional status and its association with proinflammatory cytokines in children with chronic liver disease. We performed a cross-sectional study with 43 children and adolescents, aged 0 to 17 years, diagnosed with chronic liver disease. All patients regularly attended the Pediatric Hepatology Unit and were under nutritional follow up. The exclusion criteria were fever from any etiology at the time of enrollment, inborn errors of the metabolism and any chronic illness. The severity of liver disease was assessed by Child-Pugh, Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) and Pediatric End Stage Liver Disease (PELD) scores. Anthropometric parameters were height/age, body mass index/age and triceps skinfold/age according to World Health Organization standards. The cutoff points for nutritional status were risk of malnutrition (Z-score < -1.00) and malnutrition (Z-score < -2.00). Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels were assessed by commercial ELISA kits. For multivariate analysis, linear regression was applied to assess the association between cytokine levels, disease severity and nutritional status. The median (25(th)-75(th) centile) age of the study population was 60 (17-116)-mo-old, and 53.5% were female. Biliary atresia was the main cause of chronic liver disease (72%). With respect to Child-Pugh score, cirrhotic patients were distributed as follows: 57.1% Child-Pugh A, a mild presentation of the disease, 34.3% Child-Pugh B, a moderate stage of cirrhosis and 8.6% Child-Pugh C, were considered severe cases. PELD and MELD scores were only above the cutoff point in 5 cases. IL-6 values ​​were increased in patients at nutritional risk (34.9%) compared with those who were well-nourished [7.12 (0.58-34.23) pg/mL vs 1.63 (0.53-3.43) pg/mL; P = 0.02], correlating inversely with triceps skinfold-for-age z-score (rs = -0.61; P < 0.001). IL-6 levels were associated with liver disease severity assessed by Child-Pugh score (P = 0.001). This association remained significant after adjusting for nutritional status in a linear regression model. High IL-6 levels were found in children with chronic liver disease at nutritional risk. Inflammatory activity may be related to nutritional status deterioration in these patients.