IL6 and brain ischemia: When cerebral ischemia and hypoxia occur, inflammation is induced, and a large number of pro-inflammatory cytokines accumulate, causing an inflammatory storm and damage to neurons.[55] Acupuncture can protect damaged neurons by upregulating IL-4 and IL-10 levels and downregulating TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-2, Iba-1, and NLRP3 levels.