Effect of nitric oxide initial blood levels on erythrocyte aggregability during 12 hours from ischemic stroke onset

The aim of study was the investigation of blood nitric oxide (NO) and nitrates (NO2) levels in 12 hours of ischemic stroke onset and establishment of correlation of these data with erythrocyte aggregability and initial ischemic lesion size. 48 patients, aged 45 to 70 years, 26 female, 22 male were investigated. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and National Institute Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) assessed initial neurological impairment. Patients were divided in mild and severe stroke groups. Control comprised 20 healthy individuals. Ischemic lesions were evaluated on conventional MRI scans. NO levels were measured by electron paramagnet resonance (EPR) method. NO2 levels were defined by spectrophotometer method. Erythrocyte aggregability index (EAI) was measured by sound method [Biorheology 30(2) (1993), 153-161]. Pearson correlation and multivariate model of logistic regression was applied. Significant negative correlation was established between NO initial blood levels and the EAI (r=-0.75; p<0.001), as well as between blood NO2 and NO initial levels and ischemic lesion size (r=-0.79, p<0.01; r=-0.61, p<0.02, respectively). Endothelialy derived NO correlates with erythrocyte aggregability and probably has a positive impact on restoration of cerebral blood flow in the initial stage of acute brain ischemia.