This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Whenever injury occurs to brain tissue inflammation occurs in response, (and "injury" can include neurodegeneration – neurons dying due to some other cause), IL – 1 is activated and appears to prolong and enhance the inflammation to the point where it becomes damaging. Inhibiting it using IL – 1 RA might be a way to minimize the damage:

Biochem Soc Trans. 2007 Oct;35(Pt 5):1122-6
Authors: Simi A, Tsakiri N, Wang P, Rothwell NJ
Inflammation occurs rapidly in response to acute brain insults such as stroke, haemorrhage or trauma, and can be sustained for long periods of time, for example in Alzheimer's or Parkinson's diseases and multiple sclerosis. Experimental evidence indicates that inflammation plays a major role in neurodegeneration under these conditions, and that the cytokine IL-1 (interleukin-1) is a pivotal mediator. IL-1 is expressed rapidly in response to neuronal injury, predominantly by microglia, and elevated levels of endogenous or exogenous IL-1 markedly exacerbate injury. The naturally occurring IL-1RA (IL-1 receptor antagonist) markedly inhibits ischaemic, excitotoxic and traumatic brain injury in rodents, and has shown promise in a Phase II clinical trial in stroke patients. The mechanisms of IL-1 expression, release and action in neurodegeneration are not fully elucidated and appear multiple. Systemic IL-1 markedly enhances ischaemic brain injury via release of neutrophils into circulation, neutrophil adhesion to injured cerebrovasculature and CNS (central nervous system) invasion, and cell death via activation of matrix metalloproteinase-9. IL-1 also influences the release of toxins from glial and endothelial cells. Neuronal responses to excitotoxins and physiological factors may have an impact on neuronal survival. IL-1RA, delivered peripherally, can enter the CNS in animals and humans and has no adverse effects in stroke or subarachnoid haemorrhage patients, but shows potential benefit in acute stroke patients.
PMID: 17956293 [PubMed - in process

_________________
Dom