Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2019 Jan 14:2019:2606808.
doi: 10.1155/2019/2606808. eCollection 2019.

The Elevated Serum Level of IFN- γ in Patients with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome Remains Unchanged after Spinal Cord Stimulation

Piotr Kamieniak  1 , Joanna Bielewicz  2 , Cezary Grochowski  1 , Jakub Litak  1 , Agnieszka Bojarska-Junak  3 , Beata Daniluk  4 , Tomasz Trojanowski  1
Affiliations

The Elevated Serum Level of IFN- γ in Patients with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome Remains Unchanged after Spinal Cord Stimulation

Piotr Kamieniak et al. Dis Markers. .

Abstract

Objectives: We investigated the influence of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) on IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, and TGF-β serum levels in failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) patients. The study will try to give new insights into the mechanism of SCS action and the role of IFN-γ and other cytokines in neuropathic pain (NP) development.

Materials and methods: Clinical and biochemical assessment was conducted in four groups of patients: group 0 consisted of 24 FBSS patients qualified to SCS therapy, group 1 included 17 patients who were one month after implantation, group 2 featured 12 patients who were 3 months after the implantation, and group C (the control group) with no NP. Clinical status was assessed with the use of Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), the Pain Rating Index of McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The plasma concentrations of IFN-γ were ascertained by an immunoenzymatic method.

Results: We found a significant difference between the patients before SCS and controls' serum level of IFN-γ. Similarly, a significantly higher level of TNF-α and significantly lower level of IL-10 in FBSS patients than controls were observed. The significant differences were not observed between SCS patients 3 months after the procedure and controls' serum level of IFN-γ and other cytokines. We noticed a positive correlation between IFN-γ concentration with NRS back value before SCS and positive correlation between IFN-γ concentration after SCS with NRS leg value before SCS. Higher IFN-γ concentrations accompanied higher NRS values. Levels of TGF-β and IL-10 may correlate with physical ability and depressive behavior.

Conclusions: SCS did not influence serum cytokine levels significantly. Serum concentration of IFN-γ may be recognized as an occasional pain factor because of its significantly higher level in FBSS patients versus controls and higher IFN-γ value accompanying higher pain intensity.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Kumar K., Hunter G., Demeria D. Spinal cord stimulation in treatment of chronic benign pain: challenges in treatment planning and present status, a 22-year experience. Neurosurgery. 2006;58(3):481–496. doi: 10.1227/01.NEU.0000192162.99567.96. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Vallejo R., Kramer J., Benjamin R. Neuromodulation of the cervical spinal cord in the treatment of chronic intractable neck and upper extremity pain: a case series and review of the literature. Pain Physician. 2007;10(2):305–311. - PubMed
    1. Meier K. Spinal cord stimulation: background and clinical application. Scandinavian Journal of Pain. 2014;5(3):175–181. doi: 10.1016/j.sjpain.2014.03.001. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Masopust V., Rokyta R., Benes V. Neuromodulation. Ceska A Slovenska Neurologie A Neurochirurgie. 2014;77:138–152.
    1. Cui J. G., Meyerson B. A., Sollevi A., Linderoth B. Effect of spinal cord stimulation on tactile hypersensitivity in mononeuropathic rats is potentiated by simultaneous GABAB and adenosine receptor activation. Neuroscience Letters. 1998;247(2-3):183–186. doi: 10.1016/S0304-3940(98)00324-3. - DOI - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources