Subfatin levels and thiol balance in patients with stroke

Abstract

Background & Objective: Acute ischemic stroke leads to the increased production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species in the tissue and plasma via various mechanisms. We aimed to investigate thiol balance and subfatin impairment in patients with minor ischemic stroke (MIS) compared with stroke-free controls. Methods: A total of 70 participants (35 patients and 35 healthy controls) were enrolled in this study. The investigation includes serum subfatin levels, native thiol, total thiol, native thiol-to-total thiol ratio, disulfide, the disulfide-to-native thiol ratio, and the disulfide-to-total thiol ratio. The blood samples were collected at the time of admission to the emergency department. Results: A total of 35 patients with MIS and 35 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Mean ages of patients and control subjects are 64.5±10.6 and 64.3±5.9, respectively. 20 (57.1%) of both groups were male. The two groups were similar in terms of age (p > 0.912) and did not differ in subfatin levels (p = 0.247). Native thiol, total thiol, and the native thiol-to-total thiol ratio were significantly lower in the patients than in the controls (p < 0.001), whereas disulfide, the disulfide-to-native thiol ratio, and the disulfide-to-total thiol ratio were significantly higher in the controls. Conclusion: Thiol balance is impaired in patients with ischemic stroke, but it was uncertain about subfatin. Additional research required for subfatin in acute ischemic stroke.