CD68 Antigen and Cerebral Aneurysms: A Case-Control Study.
Abdolkarim Rahmanian1, Ahmad Salehi1, Eskandar Kamali-Sarvestani2,3
1Neurosurgery Department, Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Journal of Neurological Surgery. Part A, Central European Neurosurgery
|February 24, 2023
Summary
CD68 antigen levels were higher in cerebral aneurysm patients compared to controls, suggesting a role in aneurysm development. However, CD68 did not significantly correlate with rupture status or aneurysm size.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Cerebral aneurysms (CAs) are often linked to inflammation.
- The CD68 antigen is expressed by macrophages and other inflammatory cells.
- Understanding inflammatory markers like CD68 is crucial for CA research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare CD68 antigen levels in patients with cerebral aneurysms versus a control group.
- To investigate the association between CD68 levels and CA rupture status.
- To explore correlations between CD68, age, and aneurysm diameter.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 88 participants (44 CA patients, 44 controls).
- CA patients were further divided into ruptured (28) and unruptured (16) subgroups.
- CD68 levels, clinical data, and radiographic information were collected and analyzed.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant difference in CD68 levels was observed between CA patients and controls.
- No significant difference in CD68 levels was found between ruptured and unruptured CA subgroups.
- CD68 levels showed a non-significant correlation with age and no correlation with aneurysm diameter or Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS).
Conclusions:
- CD68 may play a role in the development of cerebral aneurysms, but not necessarily in their rupture.
- Inflammation, indicated by CD68, appears to be positively associated with aging in this context.
- Further population-based cohort studies are recommended to validate these findings.
