Altered cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of TGFβ1 in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy

Neurochem Res. 2014 Nov;39(11):2211-7. doi: 10.1007/s11064-014-1422-z. Epub 2014 Aug 27.

Abstract

Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signaling participates in pathogenesis of epilepsy. TGFβ1, as a transmitter of TGFβ signaling, might be a useful marker for predicting the prognosis of patients with epilepsy. The present study aimed to measure TGFβ1 level in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy and non-resistant epilepsy. A total of 43 patients with epilepsy were recruited, 28 were non-resistant epilepsy subgroup, 15 drug-resistant epilepsy subgroup. 11 patients with intracranial infection and 11 individuals with primary headache were used as controls. The concentration of CSF and serum TGFβ1 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The concentration of CSF-TGFβ1 was 209.26 ± 81.07 pg/ml in the drug-resistant epilepsy subgroup, 121.80 ± 40.32 pg/ml in the non-resistant epilepsy subgroup, 552.17 ± 456.20 pg/ml in intracranial infection control, 133.80 ± 68.55 pg/ml in headache control, respectively. TGFβ1 level was significantly increased in the drug-resistant epilepsy subgroup compared to the non-resistant epilepsy subgroup. TGFβ1 level in intracranial infection control was higher than that in the non-resistant epilepsy subgroup. There was no statistically difference of CSF-TGFβ1 between the non-resistant epilepsy subgroup and headache controls, between the resistant epilepsy subgroup and intracranial infection controls. TGFβ levels are increased in the CSF of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. High CSF-TGFβ1 levels may be a potential screening biomarker of antiepileptic drug resistance in patients with epilepsy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Drug Resistance / physiology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
  • Epilepsy / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Epilepsy / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • TGFB1 protein, human
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1