The effects of the infarct volume on cytokines and immune status in patients with acute ischemic stroke

ObjectiveTo investigate and analyze the effects of the infarct volume on cytokines and immune status in patients with acute ischemic stroke. MethodsPatients with acute ischemic stroke that presented within 72 h of onset from October 2017 to October 2019 were enrolled. Patients with severe cerebral infarction (large-area cerebral infarction) (n=34) were enrolled and categorized as group A; Additionally, 33 patients with non-large-area cerebral infarction with matching baseline characteristics (sex and age) to group A were included in group B. We measured IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, TNF-, and IFN-{gamma} levels in serum using a cytometric bead array.In addition,we compared the absolute value of lymphocytes (LYM#), lymphocyte percentage (LYM%), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), cytokine levels, and immune status indicators (IFN-{gamma} IL-4 ratio, TNF-/IL-4 ratio, and TNF-/IL-10 ratio) between groups A and B, and evaluated the effect of infarct size on inflammatory factors and immune status. ResultsCompared with group B, the LYM# and LYM% in group A were significantly lower, and the NLR and cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, TNF-, and IFN-{gamma}) levels were significantly higher. TNF-/IL-4 ratio was significantly lower, and the IFN-{gamma}/IL-4 ratio (P=0.09) and TNF-/IL-10 ratio (P=0.146) in group A demonstrated a decreasing trend although not significant. ConclusionsThe immune status of patients with acute cerebral infarction is related to the infarct volume; patients with large-area cerebral infarction are more likely to develop immunosuppression.