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Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1)
July 3, 2014
Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) is a proinflammatory cytokine.
In other words, an increase in the body of this molecule causes an increase in inflammation. Any process or reaction or medication that decreases the amount or function of this molecule is thought to be beneficial in terms of lessening inflammation.
IL-1 beta is known to stimulate the afferent or sensory nerve fibers of the vagus nerve, which is part of the inflammatory reflex that participates in overall control of the level of the body’s inflammation.
Increased IL-1 is known to increase gut permeability and to alter gut flora
The following diseases and disorders have been linked to increased IL-1:
- Migraine
- Autism
- Temporal lobe epilepsy
- Febrile Seizures
- Post-birth developmental delays
IL-1 has been shown experimentally to respond to antioxidant free-radical scavenger treatments with an improvement upon lowering the level in behavioral deficits.
References
Course notes, University of Arizona Integrative Medicine Fellowship
Watkins, 1995
Fan, 2010
