Association of RAGE with acute ischemic stroke prognosis in type 2 diabetes

In experimental models, the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) has been reported as a key mediator in cerebral ischemia. In this study, the clinical significance of serum RAGE levels in acute ischemic stroke patients with type 2 diabetes was determined.

Three hundred seven patients (165 patients without diabetes and 142 patients with diabetes) with acute cerebral infarction (ACI) were enrolled over 3 consecutive months. On admission, their National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores were recorded. The clinical laboratory data of all subjects were collected, and their serum levels of RAGE were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). On admission and 3 months after stroke, the clinical outcomes were assessed using the Barthel index (BI) and modified Rankin scale (mRS).

Patients with diabetes (PwD) had significantly higher levels of triglycerides (TGs), RAGE, fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and worse stroke prognosis than patients without diabetes (p < 0.05). Hypertension history, RAGE, and FBG in patients without diabetes in ischemic stroke were increased, relative to stroke prognosis. Weight, RAGE, and FBG data showed significant correlation with stroke outcome in PwD (p < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the RAGE level was an independent risk factor for poor prognosis of stroke, especially in PwD with ACI (p < 0.05).

Acute ischemic stroke is associated with elevated serum RAGE level, which, at admission, is an independent predictor of poor outcome for stroke in type 2 diabetes.