Detection of caspase-3, neuron specific enolase, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in both cerebrospinal fluid and serum of patients after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to explore whether or not the levels of caspase-3 (Casp3), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were elevated in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of patients after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

Methods: This prospective clinical study consisted of 20 patients who experienced recent aneurysmal SAH and 15 control patients who experienced hydrocephalus without any other central nervous system disease. CSF and serum samples obtained within the first 3 days, and on the fifth and seventh days of SAH were assayed for Casp3, NSE, and hsCRP by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: Levels of Casp3, NSE, and hsCRP in the CSF (P = 0.00001, P = 0.00001, and P <0.003, respectively) and in the serum (P = 0.00001, P <0.01, and P = 0.00001, respectively) of SAH patients were found to be elevated when compared with controls with normal pressure hydrocephalus.

Conclusion: The authors have demonstrated the synchronized elevation of Casp3, NSE, and hsCRP in both CSF and serum of patients with aneurysmal SAH. Further studies with a large number of patients are recommended to more accurately determine the roles of these molecules in aneurysmal SAH.