Objectives: We compared the concentrations of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2) with the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) in serial serum samples from improved and expired acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients to determine their prognostic usefulness.
Materials and methods: Blood from AIS patients (n = 17) admitted within 24 h of the onset of symptoms were collected at admission and 24, 48, 72, and 144 h after admission. Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay.
Results: IL-2 levels were elevated in serum samples from AIS patients collected at 0 (0.97, P < 0.01) and 24 h (1.011, P < 0.01). IL-2 concentrations gradually decreased at subsequent time-points (48, 72, and 144 h samples, 0.324, P < 0.05) in patients who improved (n = 13), but not in those who expired (n = 4). Similarly, a decrease in IL-10 levels was observed in serum samples from AIS patients who improved at 24 h (0.180, P < 0.05), followed by significant increases at 72 h (0.97, P < 0.01 vs. control) and 144 h (1.38, P < 0.01).
Conclusion: The levels of IL-2 and IL-10 correlate well with outcome in AIS patients and may be useful in prognosis.