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Meta-Analysis
. 2025 Aug;53(4):902-913.
doi: 10.62641/aep.v53i4.1790.

A Correlation between Inflammatory Factors and Epileptic Seizures: A Meta-analysis

Changqing Cao  1 , Jing Mu  1 , Guiying Hu  1 , Yali Wang  1 , Yigu Gong  1
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

A Correlation between Inflammatory Factors and Epileptic Seizures: A Meta-analysis

Changqing Cao et al. Actas Esp Psiquiatr. 2025 Aug.

Abstract

Background: The pathophysiological mechanisms and relevant biological markers for epileptic seizures largely remained unknown. However, several studies have reported elevated levels of inflammatory factors in the serum of individuals with epileptic seizures. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between inflammatory factors and epileptic seizures.

Methods: We retrieved relevant literature published in various databases, including Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China Wanfang, HowNet, Chinese Biomedical Literature, and VIP, from inception to December 2023. The relationship between inflammatory factors, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and epileptic seizure was assessed. The selected manuscripts were evaluated based on the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and relevant data were extracted for meta-analysis using Rev Man 5.0 software (RevMan, Oxford, UK) and Stata 12.

Results: We observed that individuals with epileptic seizures had significantly elevated levels of IL-1β (random-effects model, Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) = 1.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) = [1.17, 2.56], I2 = 96.6%, p = 0.010), IL-6 (SMD = 1.73, 95% CI = [0.41, 3.05], I2 = 96.9%, p = 0.010), and TNF-α (random-effects model, SMD = 2.16, 95% CI = [1.13, 3.18], I2 = 96.5%, p = 0.010). Moreover, the subgroup analysis indicated significant differences between the two groups for the country (origin of publication) (SMD = 1.87, 95% CI = [1.17, 2.56], I2 = 96.6%, p < 0.001), sampling time (SMD = 1.87, 95% CI = [1.17, 2.56], I2 = 96.6%, p = 0.010), and sample source (SMD = 1.87, 95% CI = [1.17, 2.56], I2 = 96.6%, p = 0.010).

Conclusion: The IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels are increased in individuals with epileptic seizures, which could serve as effective biomarkers for epileptogenesis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
A flow diagram of the literature search process.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
The risk of bias: review authors’ judgements about each risk of bias item for included studies.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Forest plot of interleukin (IL)-1β concentrations between patients with epilepsy seizures and normal controls. SMD, Standardized Mean Difference; CI, confidence interval.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
Forest plot of TNF-α concentrations between individuals with epilepsy seizures and normal controls.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 5.
Forest plot of IL-6 concentrations between individuals with epilepsy seizures and normal controls.
Fig. 6.
Fig. 6.
Subgroup analysis based on origin of publication (country).
Fig. 7.
Fig. 7.
Subgroup analysis based on sample source.
Fig. 8.
Fig. 8.
Subgroup analysis based on sampling time (h).
Fig. 9.
Fig. 9.
Funnel plot analysis of publication bias.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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