Publication

Abstract : Objectives – To estimate the serum concentrations of Tumour Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α) and soluble TNF receptors (s TNF-RI and TNF-RII) in patients with Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS), before and after treatment. Material and methods – The serum TNF-α and the soluble TNF receptors concentrations were measured by a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 47 patients with GBS before and after the treatment – IVI therapy (n = 26); Plasma Exchange (n = 21). Results – At the time of admission, the serum TNF-α concentrations were elevated (32.5–182.5 pg/ml) in 41/47 GBS patients (87.2%). Following the treatment (IVIG or PE), there was a significant decrease in the serum TNF-α concentrations (8.5–58.5 pg/ml) in these 41 GBS patients. The soluble TNF receptors, particularly sTNF-RII concentrations were significantly increased in GBS patients treated by IVIG therapy. Conclusions – The results of this indicated that (a) Elevated serum concentrations of TNF-α showed a positive correlation with the disease severity in patients with GBS. (b) The decrease in the serum TNF-α and increase in the serum soluble TNF receptors, particularly sTNF-RII showed a positive correlation with the neurological recovery in GBB patients following treatment.