Serum concentrations of sCD40L in patients with acute ischemic cerebrovascular diseases

One hundred patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled in the study as the trial group, and 20 healthy individuals as control group. Intima-media thickness and plaque of the carotis were detected by carotid ultrasonography, cerebral infarction was detected by CT/MRI, and serum concentrations of sCD40L were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Neurologie impairment score was evaluated in all patients. The results showed that in patients with acute ischemic stroke the serum concentrations of sCD40L in plaques group were significantly higher than those in no plaque group. The levels of serum sCD40L of infarction group (diameter>1.5 cm) were higher than those of lacunar infarction group ( diameter<1.5 cm ) and temporary ischemic attack ( TIA ) group. The levels of serum sD40L in trial group were all higher than those in control group. In the trial group, serum concentrations of sCD40L were correlated with neurologic impairment score. The results indicate that CD40/CD40L signaling pathway may be involved in the carotid atherosclerosis formation and the rupture of plaques, and the increase of serum CD40L levels might be a risk factor for acute ischemic cerebrovascular diseases. Key words: Cerebrovascular disorders; CD40L