Dynamics of inflammatory markers in post-acute stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation

Inflammation. 2011 Dec;34(6):551-8. doi: 10.1007/s10753-010-9262-8.

Abstract

Stroke is a pathological condition associated with an enhanced inflammatory response that has a multifactorial etiology. We evaluated the dynamic of plasma concentrations of IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, soluble form of intercellular adhesion molecule 1, and lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] during the rehabilitation of post-acute stroke patients (n = 20), in parallel with control subjects (n = 24). Stroke patients had significantly increased concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α, and Lp(a) when compared to healthy controls. It was found that the changes in the IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α concentrations associated with the pathological condition were statistically significant (χ2 = 4.81, p = 0.028, χ2 = 10.40, p = 0.005 and χ2 = 6.73, p = 0.034, respectively). The decrease of Lp(a) during the rehabilitation had statistical significance (p = 0.043), while the decrease of IL-1α had marginal significance (p = 0.071). IL-1α, TNF-α, and Lp(a) concentrations were significantly negatively correlated with the Barthel index values, suggesting that the decrease of these inflammatory markers was beneficial for patients' recovery.

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / blood
  • Inflammation / diagnosis*
  • Interleukin-1alpha / blood
  • Interleukin-6 / blood
  • Lipoprotein(a) / blood
  • Male
  • Prognosis
  • Rehabilitation*
  • Stroke / blood
  • Stroke / diagnosis*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / blood

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Interleukin-1alpha
  • Interleukin-6
  • Lipoprotein(a)
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha