Nerve growth factor and transforming growth factor-β serum levels in acute stroke patients: Possible involvement of neurotrophins in cerebrovascular disease

Background and Purpose: Experimental evidence indicates cytokine and neurotrophin production in brain tissue after stroke. Since neurotrophins may also be released from blood cells, we measured nerve growth factor (NGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta serum levels in 40 patients at various times after stroke and compared them to those in 20 healthy controls. Methods: Venous blood was obtained 1, 4, 10, 30 and 90 days after stroke and NGF and TGF-beta serum levels were measured by commercial ELISA. Values at each time were correlated with stroke severity, assessed using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, and with lesion volume, calculated using Cavalieri's direct estimator on a computerized tomography scan performed 5 days after stroke. Results and Conclusions: Although no significant differences between the two groups were demonstrated, in stroke patients, serum neurotrophins were significantly associated with clinical and neuroradiological parameters of brain injury and positively correlated with each other in the acute phases of stroke, suggesting that stroke may modulate peripheral neurotrophin levels. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.