Omentin-1: a biomarker in large artery ischaemic stroke patients

Background Omentin-1 is a novel adipocytokine that is related to atherosclerosis-based ischaemic cardiovascular disease and stroke. Previous studies have linked its lower levels with poor stroke outcomes. We aimed to assess the level of serum omentin-1 as a prognostic marker in patients with large artery ischaemic stroke. Methods Fifty ischaemic stroke patients suffering large artery ischaemic stroke and another 50 subjects without a prior history of strokes were recruited. All participants were subjected to neurological examinations, echocardiography and laboratory investigations including a lipid profile and HBA1c. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured for all participants. Stroke patients were evaluated by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Infarction volume was measured by magnetic resonance image (MRI) and serum level of omentin-1 was gauged for all participants. Results Carotid IMT significantly increased in stroke patients compared to control subjects. While serum omentin-1 levels were higher in control non-diabetic subjects, they were lower in diabetic patients with ischaemic stroke. Serum omentin-1 levels were inversely correlated with NIHSS, carotid IMT, infarction volume and mRS scores in all stroke patients. Serum omentin-1 level less than 24.5 ng/ml showed 93.7%sensitivity and 44.4% specificity in prediction of poor stroke outcome while values less than 27.8 ng/ml in non-diabetic stroke patients had sensitivity and specificity with 87.5% and 55.6% respectively. Conclusion Lower levels of serum omentin-1 are associated with increased ischaemic stroke severity and poor functional outcome.