Serum Fas and Bcl-2 in patients with epilepsy
M A El-Hodhod1, H Y Tomoum, M M Abd Al-Aziz
1Department of Pediatrics, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. hoda_tomoum@yahoo.com
Insights
Markers of apoptosis, soluble Fas (s.Fas) and Bcl-2, are elevated in children with idiopathic epilepsy. Higher levels correlate with increased seizure severity and frequency, indicating their role in epilepsy progression.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Idiopathic epilepsy is a common neurological disorder in children and adolescents.
- Apoptosis plays a role in various neurological conditions.
- Biochemical markers of apoptosis, such as soluble Fas (s.Fas) and Bcl-2, may be implicated in epilepsy pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum levels of the apoptosis markers, soluble Fas (s.Fas) and Bcl-2, in pediatric patients with idiopathic epilepsy.
- To explore the relationship between these markers and clinical characteristics of epilepsy, including seizure type, severity, and frequency.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 30 children and adolescents with idiopathic epilepsy and 15 healthy controls.
- Serum s.Fas and Bcl-2 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
- Correlation analysis was performed to assess relationships between marker levels and epilepsy parameters.
Main Results:
- Serum levels of both s.Fas and Bcl-2 were significantly higher in patients with idiopathic epilepsy compared to controls.
- Elevated levels of s.Fas and Bcl-2 were observed in patients with uncontrolled epilepsy.
- s.Fas levels correlated positively with seizure severity and negatively with time since last seizure.
- Bcl-2 levels correlated positively with epilepsy duration, seizure severity, and frequency.
Conclusions:
- Proapoptotic (Fas) and anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) markers are elevated in pediatric idiopathic epilepsy.
- These elevated apoptosis markers are associated with increased seizure severity and frequency.
- The findings suggest a role for apoptosis dysregulation in the pathophysiology of idiopathic epilepsy.
Objectives:
The present study aimed to investigate the levels of the biochemical markers of apoptosis (soluble Fas and Bcl-2) in the sera of children and adolescents with idiopathic epilepsy.
Materials And Methods:
The study included 30 children and adolescents (mean age 8.03 +/- 4.49 years) with idiopathic epilepsy, 16 of them were newly diagnosed, and 15 clinically healthy control subjects. Of the included patients, 22 had focal seizures and eight had generalized seizures. In addition to laboratory and radiological investigations needed for diagnosis and follow-up, soluble Fas (s.Fas) and Bcl-2 were assayed in sera of patients and controls by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique.
Results:
Serum levels of s.Fas and Bcl-2 were significantly higher in the patients group than in the control group; however, their levels were comparable in patients with different seizure types. Levels of s.Fas correlated positively with seizure severity and negatively with the duration from the last attack. Bcl-2 levels were positively correlated to each of the duration of epilepsy, the severity of seizures and its frequency. There was a significant positive correlation between serum levels of s.Fas and that of Bcl-2 and both were significantly increased in patients with uncontrolled epilepsy.
Conclusion:
The present data demonstrate that markers of apoptosis, both the proapoptotic Fas and the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, were proportionately elevated in sera of patients with idiopathic epilepsy, and their levels were related to the seizure severity and frequency.
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