Increased Levels of Leukocyte Elastase in Ischemic Stroke and in Subjects with Vascular Risk Factors

Proteolytic enzymes by polymorphonuclear leukocytes such as elastase may contribute to the pathogenesis of acute cerebral ischemia. We measured elastase α₁-protease inhibitor complexes (EIC) in acute ischemic stroke and in controls with and without vascular risk factors. Levels of EIC were higher in patients (n = 24, 51.4 ± 18.5 ng/ml) than in healthy controls (n = 26, 36.2 ± 11.5 ng/ml, p < 0.001) but not higher than in controls with risk factors (n = 22, 53.4 ± 29.6 ng/ml). Stroke patients with recent or concomitant infections had higher EIC levels than all other groups (n = 14, 71.0 ± 24.6 ng/ml). This result suggests leukocyte activation in acute stroke and in subjects with increased risk for stroke.