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Systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, dietary fatty acids and micronutrients as risk factors for stroke: a
Valery L Feigin1, Craig S Anderson, Cliona N Mhurchu
1The Clinical Trials Research Unit, University of Auckland, New Zealand. v.feigin@ctru.auckland.ac.nz
Insights
Preventing stroke requires understanding modifiable risk factors like inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Further research into markers such as C-reactive protein and homocysteine is crucial for identifying stroke risk, especially in the elderly.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Stroke's impact necessitates a shift from treatment to prevention.
- Understanding specific causes and modifiable risk factors for stroke subtypes is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current evidence on systemic inflammation markers, endothelial dysfunction, dietary factors, and micronutrients as stroke risk factors.
- To highlight the need for more research on these factors, particularly in the elderly population.
Main Methods:
- Selective review of existing scientific literature.
- Appraisal of evidence on C-reactive protein, homocysteine, von Willebrand factor, dietary fatty acids, and micronutrients.
Main Results:
- Limited reliable information exists on the role of these factors in stroke, especially in the elderly.
- Systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction markers show potential as future stroke risk predictors.
Conclusions:
- Evaluation of plasma fatty acids, antioxidants, micronutrients, and markers of inflammation/endothelial dysfunction may aid future stroke risk determination.
- Further investigation into these modifiable risk factors is critical for effective stroke prevention strategies.
Abstract:
As medicine moves into the 21st century, with added pressures of increasing costs and limited resources, successful reduction of the impact of stroke on the population will require shifting our emphasis away from treating end stages of generalized atherosclerosis and other underlying diseases to prevention of these diseases. However, before any potential interventions can be promoted with confidence, more needs to be known about the specific causes of stroke subtypes in various populations, especially potentially modifiable risk factors. In this selective review, we appraise current evidence on some markers of systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein), endothelial dysfunction (homocysteine, von Willebrand factor), dietary fatty acids and micronutrients as risk factors for stroke. Although a great deal of research into the role of these risk factors in cardiovascular diseases has been undertaken, little reliable information is available on their role in stroke, especially in the elderly. Evaluation of plasma fatty acids and specific antioxidants and micronutrients as well as markers of systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction (including C-reactive protein, homocysteine levels, von Willebrand factor, and paraoxonase activity) may prove to be valuable in the future determination of the risk of stroke.