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(Stroke. 2000;31:2295.)
© 2000 American Heart Association, Inc.

Original Contributions

Antioxidant Profile and Early Outcome in Stroke Patients

Antonio Cherubini, MD; Maria Cristina Polidori, MD; Mario Bregnocchi, MD; Salvatore Pezzuto, MD; Roberta Cecchetti, BS; Tiziana Ingegni, MD; Angelo di Iorio, MD; Umberto Senin, MD Patrizia Mecocci, MD, PhD

From the Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Perugia University Hospital and Medical School (A.C., M.C.P., M.B., S.P., R.C., T.I., U.S., P.M.), and Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Chieti Universitiy Hospital and Medical School (A. di I.) (Italy). Dr Cherubini and Dr Polidori contributed equally to this work.

Correspondence to Antonio Cherubini, MD, Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Perugia University Medical School, Via Eugubina 42, 06122 Perugia, Italy. E-mail geriat{at}unipg.it

Background and Purpose—Experimental studies provide evidence of an association between ischemic stroke and increased oxidative stress, but data in humans are still limited and controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the time course of plasma antioxidant changes in ischemic stroke patients.

Methods—Plasma antioxidants, including water-soluble (vitamin C and uric acid) and lipid-soluble (vitamins A and E) compounds as well as antioxidant enzyme activities in plasma (superoxide dismutase [SOD] and glutathione peroxidase) and erythrocytes (SOD), were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (antioxidant vitamins) and by spectrophotometry (antioxidant enzymes) in 38 subjects (25 men and 13 women aged 77.2±7.9 years) with acute ischemic stroke of recent onset (<24 hours) on admission, after 6 and 24 hours, and on days 3, 5, and 7. Antioxidant levels in patients on admission were compared with those of age- and sex-matched controls.

Results—Mean antioxidant levels and activities in patients on admission were lower than those of controls and showed a gradual increase over time. Patients with the worst early outcome (death or functional decline) had higher vitamin A and uric acid plasma levels and lower vitamin C levels and erythrocyte SOD activity than those who remained functionally stable.

Conclusions—These results suggest that the majority of antioxidants are reduced immediately after an acute ischemic stroke, possibly as a consequence of increased oxidative stress. A specific antioxidant profile is associated with a poor early outcome.

Key Words: antioxidants • outcome • oxidative stress • stroke

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