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Isolation and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Immune Cells from the Ischemic Mouse Brain
Published on: February 12, 2016
Changes in plasma levels of complement in patients with acute ischemic stroke
Inimioara Mihaela Cojocaru1, M Cojocaru, R Tănăsescu
1C. Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Clinic of Neurology, Colentina Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania. mcojocar@cmb.ro
Summary
Elevated complement levels, an inflammatory marker, in ischemic stroke patients correlate with worse neurological outcomes. This suggests complement activation may contribute to vascular damage after stroke.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Inflammatory processes are integral to cerebral ischemia.
- Ischemic stroke patients often exhibit heightened inflammatory system activation.
- The complement system plays a crucial role in inflammatory responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between complement levels at various post-stroke stages and patient outcomes.
- To determine if complement activation is a predictor of neurological disability following ischemic stroke.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were collected from 179 ischemic stroke patients and 156 healthy controls.
- Complement levels (CH50, C3, C4) were measured at 24 hours, 48-72 hours, and hospital discharge.
- Statistical analysis, including chi-squared tests, was employed to evaluate the data.
Main Results:
- Significantly elevated levels of CH50, C3, and C4 were observed in ischemic stroke patients compared to controls across all measured time points.
- A positive correlation was found between elevated complement levels at hospital discharge and increased neurological disability.
- Approximately 31-38% of patients exhibited elevated complement levels within 24 hours to hospital discharge.
Conclusions:
- Elevated complement levels in ischemic stroke patients are associated with poorer neurological outcomes.
- The complement system may directly contribute to vascular damage in the context of ischemic stroke.
- Complement activation serves as a potential inflammatory marker for predicting stroke severity and disability.
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