The primary aim of the present study was to assess the association between trace element status, brain damage biomarkers, cortisol, and prolactin levels in transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients. Ten male and 10 female TIA patients were involved in this study. Age, gender, and BMI-matched volunteers served as the respective control group. Serum samples were examined for complement components C4 and C3a, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), S100B, NR2 antibodies (NR2Ab), total antioxidant status (TAS), cortisol, and prolactin. Trace element concentration in serum samples was assessed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry at NexION 300D. The obtained data indicate that both male and female TIA patients were characterized by the increased C4 and prolactin concentrations. At the same time, serum VEGF levels were elevated in only men, whereas TAS values were decreased in women with TIA. Serum cortisol concentrations were significantly increased only in female TIA patients. Men and women with TIA were characterized by a 32 and 44 % decrease in serum Fe content. A two- and threefold increase in serum V content was observed in TIA females and males, respectively. Women with TIA had 60 % higher values of serum B, whereas male patients were characterized by a sevonfold increase in boron content in comparison to the control values. TIA also resulted in decreased serum Cu content in women and elevation of I, Li, Mn, Se, Zn, As, Pb, Ni, and Sr levels in men. Correlation analysis revealed a significant association between trace elements concentration and the studied parameters.
Keywords: Boron; Iron; Stroke risk biomarkers; Transient ischemic attack; Vanadium.