Interleukin-1beta Converting Enzyme/Caspase-1 (ICE/Caspase-1) and Soluble APO-1/Fas/CD 95 Receptor in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the role of ICE/ Caspase-1 and soluble APO-1/Fas/CD 95 receptor in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.

Material And Methods: The apoptosis parameters were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid from 25 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and 15 control patients.

Results: There has been shown a significant increase of ICE/Caspase-1 level in serum, and significant decrease of this parameter in cerebrospinal fluid from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. Soluble APO-1/Fas/CD 95 level in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients did not differ from the control group. There was no significant correlation between clinical status, duration of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and levels of ICE/Caspase-1 and soluble APO-1/Fas/CD 95.

Conclusion: Our study suggests that ICE/Caspase-1 may play a role in neurodegeneration in ALS. Due to ethical difficulties we cannot include patients suffering from progressive neurological diseases, who are a more appropriate control group for the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. Therefore we are limited in drawing conclusions from the research.