Abstract WMP74: Plasma Interleukin-6 Values Are Associated With Neurological Severity In Ischemic Stroke

Introduction: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a representative pro-inflammatory cytokine produced by various cells; however, it also plays multi-functional roles besides the immune function. Although several studies have shown that IL-6 levels are increased after stroke, its significance in stroke remains still controversial. We aimed to examine the temporal profile of plasma IL-6 after stroke and to investigate its significance in neurological severity. We tested the hypothesis that plasma IL-6 is associated with neurological severity in ischemic stroke patients. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 171 patients with ischemic stroke and age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Blood samples and clinical information were obtained at five time points (days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 90) after stroke onset. Results: Average IL-6 values at day 0 were significantly higher in the stroke patients than in the controls (6.3 ± 1.5 pg/mL vs. 1.2 ± 0.1 pg/mL, p = 0.0005). In the patients, IL-6 values at day 0 was positively associated ...