Evaluation of serum basic fibroblast growth factor levels in acute ischemic stroke patients

EVALUATION OF SERUM BASIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR LEVELS IN ACUTE ISCHEMIC STROKE PATIENTS Introduction and aim: Ischemıc stroke is one of the mortal subtypes of stroke. Initially bFGF was defined as a stimulating factor for cell division in fibroblasts. bFGF provides support for the cell maintenance of neurons and stimulates angiogenesis, mesodermal modeling, cellular division, migration and wound healing. Angiogenic, neurotrophic and vascular dilatatory effects of bFGF makes this molecule the center of interest. Today, there are only a few number of studies in the literature which analyse bFGF in serums of ischemic stroke patients. This study aims to evaluate that bFGF levels in stroke patients and its relationship the clinical status of the patients. iv Material and method: We measured bFGF levels in 96 clinically and radiologically diagnosed stroke patients. Age and gender similar 48 healthy individuals were included in the control group. bFGF levels were measured with ELISA method. Results: bFGF levels were measured as 6,6±8,8 pg/ml in ischemic stroke patients and 4,6±4,3 pg/ml in control group. There was no correlation between bFGF levels and NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) score (p>0.05). bFGF levels of all the patients were 6,6±8,8 pg/ml and 5,9±5,4 pg/ml in the 15 deceased patients ( p=0,361). Moderate positive correlation between NIHSS and hs-CRP was found. (r=0.413; p=0.011). Mild positive correlation between NIHSS and CRP was found. (r=0.275; p=0.006).Mild negative correlation between NIHSS and triglyceride level was found. (r=-0.235; p=0.004). In the correlation analysis of bFGF levels in ischemic patients and the control group a statistically significant relation was found. (p=0.005) Discussion: Elevated bFGF levels in ischemic stroke patients may suggest an underrecognized neuroprotective and angiogenetic mechanism. In conclusion, the study revealed a statistically meaningful bFGF increase in acute phase of ischemic stroke patients. Increased bFGF in these patients may be related to a protective effect lowering the brain damage and stimulating angiogenesis. Keywords: Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor, Intracerebral ischemia, Angiogenesis