High Levels of Soluble Lectin-Like Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-1 in Acute Stroke: An Age- and Sex-Matched Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Aim: Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) is known to be a key molecule in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Although high levels of serum soluble LOX-1 (sLOX-1) were demonstrated in patients with acute coronary syndrome, there are no reports about acute stroke patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the levels of sLOX-1 in acute stroke patients according to different stroke subtypes.Methods: We enrolled a total of 377 patients with a stroke (men/women: 251/126; age: 40–79 years), 250 with ischemic stroke and 127 with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Patients were admitted to our hospital within 3 days after the onset of stroke. As controls, we randomly selected age- and sex-matched subjects without a past history of cardiovascular disease according to stroke subtype from the community-based cohort of the Suita study. Serum LOX-1 levels were compared between stroke patients and healthy controls according to stroke subtype.Results: Median values of serum sLOX-1 in stroke patients were significantly higher than those in controls (526 vs. 486 ng/L in ischemic stroke and 720 vs. 513 ng/L in ICH, respectively). Among subtypes of ischemic stroke, median sLOX-1 levels in atherothrombotic brain infarction (641 ng/L) only were significantly higher than those in controls (496 ng/L). Ischemic stroke [odds ratio (OR), 3.80; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.86–7.74] and ICH (OR, 5.97; 95% CI, 2.13–16.77) were independently associated with high levels of sLOX-1 by multivariate logistic regression analysis.Conclusions: Higher levels of sLOX-1 were observed in patients with acute stoke than in controls. High levels of sLOX-1 can be useful as biomarker for acute stroke.

Increased Levels of Lectin‐Like Oxidized Low‐Density Lipoprotein Receptor‐1 in Ischemic Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack

“…Serum sLOX-1 has recently been suggested as a biomarker in acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease, as 2 different studies have reported increased serum levels of sLOX-1 in patients with acute ischemic stroke. 5,6 In both studies, blood samples were collected closely after stroke onset (ie, within 24 hours and 3 days, respectively). Herein we confirm these findings by showing increased sLOX-1 levels in patients with acute ischemic stroke or TIA within 7 days.…”

“…In contrast, data on sLOX‐1 level in patients with carotid atherosclerosis and ischemic stroke are scarce 5, 6. Moreover, although the regulation of LOX‐1 gene expression (ie, OLR1 ) is comprehensively studied in atherosclerosis‐related in vitro and animal studies, to the best of our knowledge, there is only one relatively small study that has measured OLR1 gene expression in human plaques (n=8) and control arteries (n=2) 7…”

“…4 In contrast, data on sLOX-1 level in patients with carotid atherosclerosis and ischemic stroke are scarce. 5,6 Moreover, although the regulation of LOX-1 gene expression (ie, OLR1) is comprehensively studied in atherosclerosis-related in vitro and animal studies, to the best of our knowledge, there is only one relatively small study that has measured OLR1 gene expression in human plaques (n=8) and control arteries (n=2). 7 The purpose of the present study was to examine LOX-1 levels in human carotid atherosclerosis by analyzing both sLOX-1 and the corresponding carotid plaque OLR1 mRNA expression in a large population of patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), with particular focus on their relation to time since symptom onset.…”

Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor (LOX-1) in sickle cell disease vasculopathy

“…Given that primary hemorrhagic stroke is one of the most devastating neurologic complications of sickle cell disease [25], LOX-1 mediated vasospasm may also be a contributing factor in sickle cell disease vasculopathy leading to stroke. In addition, a recent study reported higher levels of sLOX-1 in patients with acute stroke compared with controls [26]. …”

“…Enhanced expression of LOX-1 is associated with and has been implicated in atherosclerosis and diabetic vascular disease [16,18–20]. High levels of soluble LOX-1 were observed in patients with acute stroke [21]. The pathogenesis of sickle cell vasculopathy shares some of the pathological features seen during the initiation of atherosclerosis.…”