Related Experiment Videos
Chitotriosidase in patients with acute ischemic stroke
Stefano Sotgiu1, Rita Barone, Bastianina Zanda
1Institute of Clinical Neurology, University of Sassari, Italy. stefanos@uniss.it
European Neurology
|December 2, 2005
Summary
Chitotriosidase, an enzyme, is a specific marker for macrophage activation after stroke. Its elevated levels correlate with stroke severity and brain damage, independent of infections.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Acute brain ischemia triggers monocyte infiltration into the lesion, contributing to damage via neurotoxic factors.
- Plasma levels of monocyte products, like chitotriosidase, correlate with brain damage but are often linked to pre-existing inflammatory conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if elevated chitotriosidase activity in stroke patients is specifically related to the stroke event itself.
- To determine if this upregulation is independent of clinically relevant infectious or inflammatory diseases.
Main Methods:
- Plasma chitotriosidase activity, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 levels were measured in 44 acute ischemic stroke patients.
- Patients had no concomitant inflammatory-infectious diseases.
- Stroke severity and outcome were assessed using brain CT and the NIH scale.
Main Results:
- Chitotriosidase activity showed a significant positive correlation with stroke severity (NIH scale) and brain damage extent (CT).
- A strong positive correlation was observed between chitotriosidase and TNF-alpha levels.
- An inverse correlation was found between chitotriosidase and IL-6 levels.
Conclusions:
- Chitotriosidase is a specific marker of macrophage activation in stroke patients.
- Its activity directly correlates with stroke severity.
- This correlation is independent of pre-existing inflammatory or infectious conditions.