Study on the changes of plasma levels of brain natriureticpeptide and homocysteine in patients with acute cerebral infarction

Objective To explore the changes of plasma levels of BNP and Hcy in patients with acute cerebral infarction and the possible pathophysiologic implications.Methods Plasma BNP and Hcy levels in 80 patients with acute cerebral infarction and 30 healthy controls were determined by chemiluminescence method.Results The levels of BNP and Hcy[(153.24±69.76 )ng/L,(30.34±9.46 ) μmol/L]in patients with acute cerebral infarction were significantly higher than those in control groups[( 85.16 ±28.15 ) ng/L,(11.54±3.29) μmol/L](P＜0.01),and plasma BNP and Hcy levels in patients with large infarction area were significandy higher than those in patients with small infarction area (P＜0.01).Conclusion Plasma BNP and Hcy are increased significantly in patients with cerebral infarction,and are highly associated with the occurence of cerebral infarction.They possibly play a key role in the pathogenesis of cerebral infarction. Key words: Acute cerebral infarction;  Brain natriuretiepeptide;  Homocysteine