Glucose blood levels relationship with immunoinflammatory markers in acute ischemic stroke: metabolic, inflammatory and genetic signatures of ischemic stroke and its recurrence

Abstract Background. Some genetic polymorphisms are associated with the risk of stroke, although the individual contribution of such polymorphisms is considered modest Aims. To evaluate the frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding proinflammatory cytokines and coagulation factors in stroke patients, the relationships between the serum levels of the cytokines analyzed, and their relationship with stroke subtypes and prognosis in terms of event recurrence at follow-up. Material and Methods. A retrospective, cross-sectional, observational, analytical, case-control study. Blood samples were collected within 72 hours of the onset of signs/symptoms of ischaemic stroke. We performed genetic analysis to evaluate various genetic polymorphisms and analyzed cytokine levels at admission. Results. A total of 624 subjects were enrolled: 429 patients with ischaemic stroke and 195 control subjects without ischaemic stroke. Patients with CEI subtype showed significantly higher levels of all the cytokines analyzed, namely, IL-10, TNF-alpha, and IL-6. Logistic regression analysis revealed that higher TNF-α (alpha), IL-6, and IL-1 β (beta) levels were significantly associated with the LAAS and CEI subtypes. In contrast, TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in patients with recurrent stroke at follow-up than in patients who did not have an event during follow-up. Of the three polymorphisms in the gene encoding PTSG2, the haplotypes rs6275 and rs20417 showed a different distribution between patients and controls. Discussion. The reported association between ischaemic stroke and immunoinflammatory variables agrees with previously reported associations between some proinflammatory and prothrombotic polymorphisms and the risk of ischaemic stroke.