BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Alterations in blood fatty acid (FA) composition are associated with cardiovascular diseases. We investigated whether plasma FA composition was related to stroke severity and functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 156 patients with first-episode cerebral infarction, within 7 days of symptom onset. The proportion of FAs was analyzed using gas chromatography, and the summation of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega3-PUFA), 18:3 omega3 alpha-linolenic acid, 20:3 omega3 eicosatrienoic acid, 20:5 omega3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and 22:6 omega3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was reported as Sigmaomega3-PUFAs. Stroke severity was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on admission. Poor functional outcome was defined by modified Rankin scale (mRS) > or =3 at three months after the index stroke. RESULTS: Lower proportions of EPA (beta=-0.751), DHA (beta=-0.610), and Sigmaomega3-PUFAs (beta=-0.462) were independently associated with higher NIHSS score, after adjusting for stroke subtype, hemoglobin, high density lipoprotein, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, fasting glucose, 16:0 palmitic acid, and Sigmasaturated fatty acids. Moreover, a lower proportion of DHA (odds ratio [OR]: 0.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.04-0.88), and Sigmaomega3-PUFAs (OR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.05-0.84) showed an independent relationship with poor functional outcome after adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, NIHSS score, stroke subtype, and 16:0 palmitic acid. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that omega3-PUFAs correlated with stroke severity on admission and functional outcomes at 3 months. omega3-PUFAs are potential blood biomarkers for prognosis of acute non-cardiogenic ischemic stroke patients.
alpha-Linolenic Acid ; Biomarkers ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cerebral Infarction ; Chromatography, Gas ; Eicosapentaenoic Acid ; Fasting ; Fatty Acids* ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated ; Glucose ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; National Institutes of Health (U.S.) ; Palmitic Acid ; Plasma* ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Stroke*

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to understand pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods of dementia prevention. METHODS: An internet searchof literature published from 2006 thru 2008 was done using combinations of the words'dementia' and'prevention'. These publications were subsequently reviewed. RESULTS: 1) Reduction of risk factors: control of vascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, hyperhomocysteinemia, and platelet aggregation) and medical risk factors (head trauma, depression, herpes simplex, hyperthyroidism, and alcohol problems). 2) Pharmacological trial: NSAIDs, selective COX-2 inhibitors, estrogen replacement therapy, and antioxidants. 3) Healthy diet and nutrition: macronutrients (polyunsaturated fatty acid such as omega-3, alpha-linolenic acid, docosahexaenoic acid) and micronutrients (vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin B1, 3, 6, 9, 12, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K; minerals such as iron, iodine, magnesium, zinc, manganese, copper, cobalt, selenium; trace elements; and non-essential micronutrients such as polyphenols). 4) Regular excercise and activities: physical activities including aerobics, flexibility, and strength exerrcises; Recreational activities including participation in religious or social activities, healthy sex life with partner, and stimulating cognitive activities. CONCLUSION: The final goal of dementia treatment is primary prevention. However, there is no proven method to achieve this. Therefore, secondary prevention or preventative maintenance through risk reduction and introduction of a healthy lifestyle in an attempt to postpone the onset of disease is a realistic goal.
alpha-Linolenic Acid ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Antioxidants ; Ascorbic Acid ; Blood Platelets ; Cobalt ; Copper ; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors ; Dementia ; Depression ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diet ; Estrogen Replacement Therapy ; Female ; Herpes Simplex ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Hyperhomocysteinemia ; Hyperthyroidism ; Internet ; Iodine ; Iron ; Life Style ; Longevity ; Magnesium ; Manganese ; Methylmethacrylates ; Micronutrients ; Minerals ; Motor Activity ; Obesity ; Pliability ; Polystyrenes ; Primary Prevention ; Risk Factors ; Risk Reduction Behavior ; Secondary Prevention ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Thiamine ; Vitamin A ; Vitamin D ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins ; Zinc