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Elevated cerebrospinal fluid levels of manganese superoxide dismutase in bacterial meningitis
Abstract:
We examined the mechanism of increase of manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn SOD) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in bacterial meningitis (BM). The elevated levels of Mn SOD in the CSF in BM, measured with an enzyme immunoassay method, were more prominent than those in aseptic meningitis (AM) and encephalitis (EN). In AM and EN Mn SOD levels well correlated with levels of neuron-specific enolase and S-100b protein, which are markers of damages to nervous tissues, but did not with any of them in BM. CSF concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) were higher in BM than in AM and EN. From the serial measurements in BM, the peak values of these cytokines chronologically preceded or corresponded to those of Mn SOD. Immunohistochemically, a large number of the glial cells were stained for Mn SOD in the cerebral cortex from a patient with BM. By contrast, in the normal cerebral cortex, the glial cells were negative for Mn SOD staining. These results suggest that the marked increase of Mn SOD in the CSF in BM may be related to the increase of such cytokines as TNF-alpha and IL-1 alpha and that these cytokines may play a role in the induction of Mn SOD in nervous tissues.
Insights
Bacterial meningitis (BM) significantly increases manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn SOD) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), linked to inflammatory cytokines like TNF-alpha and IL-1 alpha. These cytokines may induce Mn SOD in nervous tissues during BM.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn SOD) is a key antioxidant enzyme.
- Elevated Mn SOD in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is observed in various neurological conditions.
- The specific mechanisms driving Mn SOD increase in bacterial meningitis (BM) remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism behind the elevated manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn SOD) levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with bacterial meningitis (BM).
- To compare Mn SOD levels and their correlation with neurological damage markers in BM versus aseptic meningitis (AM) and encephalitis (EN).
- To explore the relationship between pro-inflammatory cytokines and Mn SOD induction in nervous tissues during BM.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme immunoassay was used to measure Mn SOD levels in CSF.
- Neuron-specific enolase and S-100b protein were quantified as markers of nervous tissue damage.
- CSF concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) were measured.
- Immunohistochemical staining was performed on brain tissue samples.
Main Results:
- Mn SOD levels were significantly higher in CSF of BM patients compared to AM and EN patients.
- In AM and EN, Mn SOD levels correlated with neurological damage markers, but not in BM.
- CSF concentrations of TNF-alpha and IL-1 alpha were elevated in BM and preceded or coincided with Mn SOD peaks.
- Immunohistochemistry revealed Mn SOD staining in glial cells of the cerebral cortex in BM, but not in normal controls.
Conclusions:
- The marked increase in CSF Mn SOD during BM is associated with elevated levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1 alpha.
- These cytokines likely play a crucial role in inducing Mn SOD expression within nervous tissues during bacterial meningitis.
- Understanding this mechanism could inform therapeutic strategies for BM.