Inhibition of neurogenic inflammation attenuates the inflammatory response following traumatic brain injury in rats

Abstract

A profound inflammatory response is initiated following traumatic brain injury (TBI). It has been proposed that serum IL-6 levels may serve as a marker for the severity of the injury. Using the rat impact-acceleration model of TBI, the study examined whether drugs which are able to inhibit neurogenic inflammation (capsaicin, NK1 antagonist), might influence the post-traumatic inflammatory response. In non-treated animals, TBI resulted in a significant increase in serum IL-6 levels. However, in animals pre-treated with capsaicin prior to injury, or treated with an NK1 antagonist following injury, this rise in IL-6 levels was not observed. We conclude that the inhibition of neurogenic inflammation may attenuate the inflammatory reaction associated with TBI, and help improve outcome.