Association between Serum Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1α and Long-Term Outcome of Acute Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND: Stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) provides neurotrophic support to neurons. In this prospective study, we investigated the association between SDF-1α and long-term outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: This study included 104 patients with first-ever ischemic stroke, identified within 24 h of symptom onset. Serum samples were collected immediately after admission and 3 months thereafter, as well as from age- and sex-matched normal controls. The correlation between acute-stage serum SDF-1α and stroke severity were analyzed. Finally, the relationship between serum SDF-1α and long-term outcome was evaluated by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Serum SDF-1α levels were only higher in acute-stage stroke patients compared with the normal control group (p = 0.011). The serum SDF-1α level was increased in proportion to infarct volume (r = 0.220, p = 0.025) and initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (r = 0.275, p = 0.005). After adjustment for covariates, a high initial serum SDF-1α level (OR 1.167, p = 0.023) or second and third tertiles of SDF-1α level compared to first tertile (OR 4.644, p = 0.044 and OR 9.396, p = 0.025, respectively) were significantly associated with a favorable long-term outcome. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective study demonstrated a correlation between serum SDF-1α and favorable long-term outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke.