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Published on: June 4, 2021
Strong complement activation after acute ischemic stroke is associated with unfavorable outcomes
Gábor Széplaki1, Róbert Szegedi, Kristóf Hirschberg
13rd Department of Internal Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
Complement activation products like SC5b-9 and C4d are elevated in acute ischemic stroke patients. Higher SC5b-9 levels correlate with stroke severity and disability, suggesting a role for complement in brain injury.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Complement activation is implicated in brain injury following acute ischemic stroke in animal models.
- Limited data exists on detecting complement activation products in human stroke patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure plasma levels of complement activation products in ischemic stroke patients.
- To investigate the correlation between these products and stroke severity.
Main Methods:
- Plasma levels of five complement activation products (C1rC1sC1inh, C4d, C3a, C5a, SC5b-9) were measured in 26 ischemic stroke patients.
- Twenty-six patients with severe carotid atherosclerosis served as controls.
Main Results:
- Significantly elevated levels of SC5b-9 and C4d were observed in stroke patients compared to controls.
- SC5b-9 levels positively correlated with clinical stroke severity, neurological deficit, and functional disability.
Conclusions:
- Complement activation appears to play an active role in acute ischemic stroke-induced brain infarct development.
- Measuring complement activation products may aid in predicting clinical prognosis after ischemic stroke.
- Complement-modulating therapies show potential for treating ischemic stroke.
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