Upregulated Serum Mir-146b Serves As Biomarker For Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background: Stroke is a major cerebrovascular disease threatening human health and life with high morbidity,disability and mortality.It is aimed to find effective biomarkers for the early diagnosis on stroke.Methods: The expressions of 17 previously reported stroke-associated mi RNAs were measured using quantitative RT-PCR and the expressions of plasma high-sensitivity C reactive protein(hs-CRP)and serum interleukin 6(IL-6),the pro-inflammation markers in brain injury,were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 128 acute ischemic stroke(AIS)patients and control group.Results: Serum mi R-146 b expression was significantly increased within 24 hours after stroke onset in patients compared with control group.In addition,the upregulation of serum mi R-146 b was strong positively correlated with plasma hs-CRP,infarct volume and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score,and moderate positively correlated with serum IL-6 of patients.Importantly,the combination of plasma hs-CRP and serum mi R-146 b gained a better sensitivity/specificity for prediction of AIS(AUC from 0.782 to 0.863).Conclusion: Our preliminary findings suggested that upregulated serum mi R-146 b in acute ischemic stroke might be a potential biomarker for AIS evaluation.