OBJECTIVEThere is growing evidence indicating that reactions of inflammatory system play an important role in stroke and development of carotid plaques. It is purposed to understand the relationship between serum level of c-reactive protein (CPR) and size of cerebral infarction, carotid plaques and prognosis of ischemic stroke.

METHODSA total of 121 patients with ischemic stroke were included in the study. Serum level of CRP was measured within 72 hours after onset of index stroke. All patients were scored by CNDF based on deficit in their clinical neurological function, and examined with CT/MRI and carotid duplex ultrasound scanning.

RESULTSLeukocyte count and blood glucose level at admission were significantly higher in the group with abnormal serum level of CRP than those with normal one (P = 0.045 and P = 0.021, respectively). Incidence of territory infarction (42 cases, 61.76%) was also significantly higher than that of lacunar infarction (23 cases, 43.4%), with P = 0.044. Occurrence of carotid plaques was higher in the former (32 cases, 65.30%) than that in the latter (17 cases, 34.69%), with P = 0.035. CNFD scores were higher in the former (ranging 6 - 35, with a median of 18) than those in the latter (ranging 6 - 28, with a median of 11), with Mann-Whitney U test, P = 0.0001. And, more severe prognosis was also found in the former than in the latter, with P = 0.0001.

CONCLUSIONSerum level of CRP was an important prognostic marker for carotid plaque and stroke.

Aged ; Arteriosclerosis ; complications ; Biomarkers ; blood ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Carotid Arteries ; pathology ; Carotid Stenosis ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Stroke ; diagnosis ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo explore the dynamic change of Phlegm-stasis in the rat atherosclerotic model as the time goes on.

METHODSAdopting high fat forage fed to develop the atherosclerotic model in rats, and the changes of blood lipid, hemorrheology, blood glucose, insulin and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) actin expression were detected by biochemical and immunohistochemical assay at various time points after modeling.

RESULTSThe expression of VSMC actin gradually increased along with the change of model rats' Syndrome from Phlegm to stasis, i.e., the change of parameters, including blood lipid, hemorrheologic parameters, blood glucose, insulin and insulin sensitive indexes along with the aggravation of disease.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of VSMC actin could be the molecular mechanism for the Syndrome developing from Phlegm to stasis in atherosclerotic rats.

Actins ; biosynthesis ; Animals ; Arteriosclerosis ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; complications ; pathology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

We measured the ankle-brachial index (ABI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and ABI in 97 ischemic stroke patients and 93 control subjects to investigate the relationship between baPWV, ABI and risk factors of ischemic stroke. The stroke patients were grouped according to the results of MRA and Carotid artery color Doppler ultrasound. The correlation of baPWV and ABI to the arteriosclerosis was discussed. There was a significant difference in the patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, baPWV and ABI between ischemic stroke patients and control subjects. baPWV was the most sensitive risk factor for ischemic stroke. ABI and diabetes mellitus were the relatively sensitive risk factors for ischemic stroke. baPWV were found to have a positive correlation with common carotid arteriosclerosis (gamma=0.215, P=0.048), while ABI had a negative correlation with intracranial arteriosclerosis (gamma=-0.237, P<0.05). BaPWV and ABI may closely relate to severity of ischemic stroke. Simple measurements of baPWV and ABI in patients could be a useful tool for evaluating the risk of ischemic stroke.
Aged ; Ankle ; blood supply ; Ankle Brachial Index ; Arteriosclerosis ; physiopathology ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Brachial Artery ; physiopathology ; Brain ; blood supply ; pathology ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; Carotid Arteries ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulsatile Flow ; Pulse ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; diagnosis ; etiology ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP) and carotid intima-media thickness (carotid IMT) in a population of middle-aged Koreans. METHODS: A total of 1,054 men and 1,595 women (aged 40-70 years) from Kanghwa County, Korea, were chosen for the present study between 2006 and 2007. We measured high-sensitivity CRP and other major cardiovascular risk factors including anthropometrics, blood pressure, blood chemistry, and carotid ultrasonography. Health related questionnaires were also completed by each study participant. Carotid IMT value was determined by the maximal IMT at each common carotid artery. The relationship between CRP level and carotid IMT was assessed using multiple linear and logistic regression models after adjustment for age, body mass index, menopause (women), systolic blood pressure, total/HDL cholesterol ratio, triglyceride level, fasting glucose, smoking, and alcohol consumption. RESULTS: Mean carotid IMT values from the lowest to highest quartile of CRP were 0.828, 0.873, 0.898, and 0.926 mm for women (p for trend<0.001), and 0.929, 0.938, 0.949, and 0.979 mm for men (p for trend=0.032), respectively. After adjustment for major cardiovascular risk factors, the relationship between CRP and carotid IMT was significant in women (p for trend=0.017), but not in men (p for trend=0.798). Similarly, adjusted odds ratio of increased IMT, defined as the sex-specific top quartile, for the highest versus lowest CRP quartiles was 1.55 (95% CI=1.06-2.26) in women, but only 1.05 (95% CI=0.69-1.62) in men. CONCLUSIONS: CRP and carotid IMT levels appear to be directly related in women, but not in men.
Adult ; Aged ; Arteriosclerosis/blood/*diagnosis/pathology ; C-Reactive Protein/*analysis ; Carotid Artery Diseases/blood/*diagnosis/pathology ; *Carotid Artery, Common/pathology ; Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors ; Tunica Intima/*pathology ; Tunica Media/*pathology ; Young Adult