Intracerebral hemorrhage triggers interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 release in blood.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Acute brain insult can cause systemic anti-inflammatory response, including anti-inflammatory cytokine release. The goal of this study was to determine the serum level of interleukin-6, interleukin-10, and interleukin-13 in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage and to correlate cytokine concentrations with stroke severity. METHODS Thirty patients with intraparenchymal hemorrhage and 16 control subjects were included. Serum samples were collected on the second day of hemorrhagic stroke. Cytokine level was measured with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. RESULTS Increased serum levels of interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 were detected in stroke patients. Interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 levels were significantly correlated with Glasgow Coma Scale score. In addition, interleukin-6 level correlated with blood volume and mass effect. CONCLUSIONS Intracerebral hemorrhage is associated with systemic release of anti-inflammatory cytokines.