Plasma cytokines in acute stroke.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to test the relations between plasma cytokines and the clinical characteristics, course, and risk factors in acute stroke.


METHODS
The analysis was based on 179 patients with acute stroke included within 24 hours of stroke onset. On inclusion and 3 months later plasma levels of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 10 (IL-10), soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (sTNF-R1), and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (sTNF-R2) were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA).


RESULTS
The levels of most cytokines were significantly different in acute stroke from the levels 3 months later; but only IL-10 was positively associated with stroke severity. C-reactive protein and white blood cell count were positively associated with the cytokine response.


CONCLUSIONS
We found a substantial overall cytokine reaction that reflected the stroke incident. However, these results do not, at present, suggest a potential for clinical use, as they do not seem to add to the information obtained from the clinical workup of the individual patient.
Christensen
Hanne
H
Department of Neurology, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Boysen
Gudrun
G
Christensen
Erik
E
Johannesen
Helle Hjorth
HH
Bendtzen
Klaus
K