Serum adropin levels in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Stroke is one of the principal diseases leading to death and permanent disability worldwide. One of the main causes of stroke is atherosclerosis. A decrease in Adropin levels has been identified as an independent predictor of atherosclerosis development. The purpose of this study was to determine serum Adropin levels in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and to investigate the relation between Adropin levels and stroke. Fifty-nine patients presenting to the emergency department with symptoms of stroke and diagnosed with AIS, and 51 healthy individuals representing the control group, were included in the study. Patient and control group demographic data and clinical characteristics were recorded. Serum Adropin levels were studied in blood specimens collected from both groups. The results were then compared. Patient group serum Adropin levels were significantly lower than those of the control group (2.16±0.76, and 2.72±1.01, respectively p=0.002). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified a low serum Adropin level as an independent predictor of stroke (OR=0.420, 95% Cl=0.221-0.801, p=0.008). We also determined significant inverse correlation between serum Adropin levels and glucose levels (r= -0.345, p=0.013). Our study suggested that, low serum Adropin levels are associated with AIS. Adropin may be used as a screening tool for AIS.