TNF and Sciatica: Second, it has been hypothesized that inflammation may play a role in patients with low back pain [6] and sciatica [7], the elderly in particular [8] A range of pro- and anti-inflammatory proteins has been found in serum, CSF and biopsies of patients with sciatica, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α [7].