Correlation between cerebral microbleeds and S100B/RAGE in acute lacunar stroke patients

S100B and its scavenger, soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE), participate in various acute and chronic brain disorders. However, their impact on hemorrhage-prone small vessel disease represented by cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of CMBs with plasma S100B and sRAGE.

A cohort of 147 consecutive patients with first-ever acute lacunar stroke was prospectively enrolled. We collected demographic, clinical, and laboratory data, including plasma levels of S100B and sRAGE, and presence and number of CMBs using susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI). Associations between plasma S100B, sRAGE levels and the presence, number, and location of CMBs were determined.

CMBs were present in 58 patients (39.5%). Each 1SD-increase in S100B and sRAGE levels was significantly associated with presence of CMBs (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 3.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.81-5.17 and adjusted OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.16-0.53; respectively) and number of CMBs (adjusted relative risk [RR], 4.07; 95% CI, 3.60-5.65 for S100B and RR 0.34; 95% CI, 0.25-0.46 for sRAGE). When stratified by location, plasma S100B and sRAGE levels were similarly associated with presence of deep CMBs (adjusted OR, 3.65; 95% CI, 1.99-6.69 and adjusted OR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.12-0.46; respectively), but not with strictly lobar CMBs.

Higher levels of S100B and lower levels of sRAGE are independently associated with presence and number of CMBs in patients with first-ever acute lacunar stroke, particularly in those with deep CMBs.