Increased IL-8 and MCP-1 in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke or Atherosclerosis : Their Secretion Reduced in Cultured Endothelial Cells by Aspirin

Abstract

Background and Objectives : IL-8 and MCP-1, released by injured endothelial cells, facilitate the accumulation of leukocytes and contribute to the development and progression of acute ischemic stroke and atherosclerosis. In this study, we investigated the serum levels of MCP-1 and IL-8 in patients with ischemic stroke or atherosclerosis. We also studied the effects of aspirin on the secretion of IL-8 and MCP-1 and the activation of NF- κB in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC)s. Patients and Methods : Sera were sampled from patients with acute ischemic stroke and with atherosclerosis, and the levels of IL-8 and MCP-1 were measured by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). In addition, HUVECs were stimulated by TNF-αfor 6 h after preincubation with aspirin at concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 10 mmol/L. The secretions of IL-8 and MCP-1 from stimulated HUVECs were estimated by ELISA and the activation of NF-κB evaluated by both immunocytochemistry and electrophorectic mobility shift assay. Results : The serum levels of IL-8 in acute ischemic stroke(n=20) were higher(p<0.05) than those in patients with atherosclerosis(n=22) and normal controls(n=20). On the other hand, MCP-1 levels were increased in atherosclerotic patients. High dose aspirin inhibited the secretions of IL-8 and MCP-1 from HUVECs, which could be related to the modulation of NF-κB. Conclusions : Our data suggest that MCP-1 and IL-8 have important roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and ischemic stroke, and that high dose aspirin may be a useful therapeutic strategy to prevent inflammatory processes in atherosclerosis and acute ischemic stroke. Korean Journal of Stroke 2002;4(1): 36~44