Elevated Lipocalin-2 Can Indicate the Vascular Inflammation in Patients with Ischemic Stroke

Abstract

Purpose: Elevated level of Lipocalin-2 (LCN2), a new acute phase adipokine, was described after ischemic stroke. A number of researchers feel as though that LCN2 originated from the infiltrating neutrophils and other cells in brain after stroke. Others measured elevated LCN2 expression in arteriosclerotic plaque. Therefore we have investigated LCN2 relative gene expression level of blood neutrophil granulocytes in patients with ischemic stroke to assess if elevated LCN2 is the cause or consequence of ischemic stroke. Methods: Laboratory and anamnestic data were collected, which could have a role in development of thrombo-embolic events in patients with ischemic stroke. RNA based method was used to evaluate the relative gene expression level of LCN2. We calculated Odds Ratio (OR) and Confidence Interval (CI) for the association between LCN2 and ischemic stroke. Results: 34 samples were available for evaluation. The LCN 2 relative gene expression level was decreased in 12 cases. In this group, 91% of patients have Atrial Fibrillation (AF) at the time of hospitalisation. The mean LCN2 relative gene expression value was 64.25% (ranges: 34%-115%) in patients with AF. It was significantly lower than in patients with normal sinus rhythm (409.2%; ranges: 127%-1127%; p=0.0003). The elevated LCN2 relative gene expression level significantly (p=0.012) increases the risk of stroke (OR: 12.6) independently from other factors. Conclusions: High LCN2 expression level seems to have strong positive predictive value on ischemic stroke, and may be useful in thrombotic risk stratification of plaque vulnerability in these patients.