Polymorphism of IL-1B rs16944 (T/C) associated with serum levels of IL-1? affects seizure susceptibility in ischemic stroke patients

Background. Seizures and the subsequent development of epilepsy after stroke may not only hinder pa-tient's recovery but also increase the risk of complications. Interleukin (IL)-113 has been shown to be acutely upregulated after ischemic stroke and play a role in the recurrence of seizures following the first epileptic seizure in patients suffering an ischemic stroke. Meanwhile, variants of the IL-1B gene encoding IL-113 are involved in the stimulation of febrile seizures. Objectives. To study the potential associations of the 5 polymorphisms of the IL-1B gene with seizure susceptibility in ischemic stroke patients, and to explore the possible mechanisms. Materials and methods. A total of 856 ischemic stroke patients were allocated into the control group (patients without post-stroke seizures) and the case group (patients with post-stroke seizures). The IL-1B polymorphisms rs10490571 (T/C), rs114363 (C/T), rs1143623 (G/C), rs16944 (T/C), and rs2853550 (A/G) were detected using TaqMan SNP genotyping assays, and serum IL-113 levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (FLISA). Demographic data, clinical characteristics and cerebrovascular disease risk factors at admission were collected. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine independent associations, and IL-113 levels were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by a post hoc test. Results. In 74 patients (8.6%, 74/856), post-stroke seizures occurred within 1 year of stroke onset. The mul-tivariate analysis showed that the rs16944 polymorphism of IL-1B, cortical involvement and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on admission were correlated with post-stroke seizures after adjusting for stroke laterality, thrombolysis, use of statins, and IL-1B rs10490571. The IL-1B rs16944 TT (odds ratio (OR): 1.923, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.257-4.185) and TC genotypes (OR: 1.469, 95% CI: 1.130-2.974) were associated with a significantly increased risk of post-stroke seizures compared to the CC genotype. One-way ANOVA for IL-113 levels demonstrated a tendency for higher levels in TT > TC > CC genotypes (6.41 compared to 4.53 compared to 2.10 pg/mL, respectively). Conclusions. The IL-1B rs16944 polymorphism had an independent association with seizure susceptibility after ischemic stroke. The mechanism might be associated with the regulation of IL-113 levels.