Markers of inflammation in cerebral ischemia.

The study sought to determine whether cerebral ischemia is associated with inflammatory reactions indicated by an increase in levels of selected acute phase proteins (APP), C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) and acidic alpha-1 glycoprotein (AGP). These proteins are thought to be markers of inflammatory reactions. We investigated 30 patients with acute cerebrovascular ischemia, 20 patients with transient ischemic attack, and 20 patients from a control group. Levels of CRP, AAT, AGP, and fibrinogen in blood sera were determined in all patients by kinetic turbidimetry. In the patients with cerebral infarct an increase was found in the levels of APP, which suggests that ischemic necrosis is associated with inflammatory reactions. All patients require active treatment of an inflammatory process that is associated with stroke.