Plasma levels of apolipoprotein E and risk of intracranial artery stenosis in acute ischemic stroke patients.

Aims: We aimed to determine the potential blood markers responsible for the risks of intracranial artery stenosis (ICAS) in Korean ischemic stroke patients.

Methods: One hundred and sixteen patients diagnosed with ICAS and 188 patients without cerebral atherosclerotic stenosis were examined. All subjects were diagnosed as acute ischemic stroke patients based on brain magnetic resonance imaging results and were admitted within 7 days of symptom onset. Blood lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins including apolipoprotein CIII and apolipoprotein E (apoE), and lipoprotein(a) were measured.

Results: No significant differences in total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were observed between the groups. Also, plasma levels of apolipoprotein CIII and lipoprotein(a) were similar between the groups. On the other hand, patients with ICAS had significantly lower plasma levels of apoE (p < 0.001). Logistic regression and multiple linear regression analysis revealed that plasma apoE levels influenced the risk of ICAS after adjusting for age, body mass index, gender, associated lipid measures, medications and coexisting condition including hypertension, diabetes mellitus and previous stroke.

Conclusions: Plasma concentrations of apoE were significantly lower in Korean subjects with ICAS, indicating that a low plasma apoE level may be a risk factor for ICAS in patients with acute ischemic stroke.