Nerve growth factor and transforming growth factor-beta serum levels in acute stroke patients - Possible involvement of neurotrophins in cerebrovascular disease

Background and Purpose: Experimental evidence indicates cytokine and neurot rophin production in brain tissue after stroke. Since neurotrophins may als o be released from blood cells, we measured nerve growth factor (NGF) and t ransforming growth factor (TGF)-beta serum levels in 40 patients at various times after stroke and compared them to those in 20 healthy controls. Meth ods: Venous blood was obtained 1, 4, 10, 30 and 90 days after stroke and NG F and TGF-beta serum levels were measured by commercial ELISA. Values at ea ch time were correlated with stroke severity, assessed using the National I nstitute of Health Stroke Scale, and with lesion volume, calculated using C avalieri's direct estimator on a computerized tomography scan performed 5 d ays after stroke. Results and Conclusions: Although no significant differen ces between the two groups were demonstrated, in stroke patients, serum neu rotrophins were significantly associated with clinical and neuroradiologica l parameters of brain injury and positively correlated with each other in t he acute phases of stroke, suggesting that stroke may modulate peripheral n eurotrophin levels. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.