Fecal Calprotectin Is Increased in Stroke
Shin Young Park1, Sang Pyung Lee2, Woo Jin Kim1,3
1Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Cheju Halla University, 38 Halladaehak-ro, Jeju-si 63092, Korea.
Background:
While there have been major advances in unveiling the mechanisms comprising the ischemic cascade of CNS, stroke continues to be a significant burden. There is a need to extend the focus toward peripheral changes, and the brain-gut axis has recently gained much attention. Our study aimed to evaluate gut inflammation and its association with blood variables in stroke using fecal calprotectin (FC).
Methods:
Fecal samples were obtained from 27 stroke patients and 27 control subjects. FC was quantitatively measured using a commercial ELISA. Laboratory data on the fecal sample collection were also collected, including CBC, ESR, glucose, creatinine, total protein, albumin, transaminases, and CRP.
Results:
There was a significant increase in FC levels in stroke patients compared to the controls. Furthermore, FC in stroke patients was negatively correlated with the Glasgow Coma Scale. Moreover, FC in stroke patients was positively correlated with CRP and negatively correlated with lymphocyte count and albumin.
Conclusions:
Our findings show that increased FC is associated with consciousness and systemic response in stroke and warrants further studies to elucidate the usefulness of FC in the management of stroke.
