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Interleukin-18 in acute ischaemic stroke patients
1Department of Clinical Neuroimmunology, Section of Neurology, University School of Medicine, 49 Przybyszewskiego Street, PL-60-355 Poznan, Poland.
Summary
Serum interleukin-18 (IL-18) levels are higher in stroke patients and correlate with disease severity and outcomes. This suggests IL-18 plays a role in stroke-induced inflammation and may predict patient prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Proinflammatory cytokines released during ischemia can harm the brain.
- Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a key proinflammatory cytokine implicated in various inflammatory conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate serum IL-18 levels in patients with ischemic stroke.
- To investigate the relationship between IL-18 levels and epidemiological/clinical data in stroke patients.
Main Methods:
- Serum IL-18 levels were measured in 23 ischemic stroke patients and 15 controls within 24 hours of stroke onset.
- Neurological severity (Scandinavian Stroke Scale - SSS) and functional disability (Barthel Index - BI) were assessed.
- Correlations were analyzed with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), brain CT findings, and stroke subtypes (lacunar vs. non-lacunar).
Main Results:
- Stroke patients exhibited significantly higher serum IL-18 levels compared to controls.
- IL-18 levels correlated positively with ESR, brain CT hypodense area volumes, and SSS and BI scores at both initial assessment and two-week follow-up.
- Patients with non-lacunar stroke subtypes had higher IL-18 levels than those with lacunar strokes.
Conclusions:
- IL-18 is involved in the inflammatory response following ischemic stroke.
- Serum IL-18 levels may serve as a potential biomarker for predicting stroke severity and functional outcome.