Serum hepcidin and interleukin-6 levels in ischemic stroke

Aim: Increased hypoxia inducible factors leads to an oxidative stress, which plays an important role in neuronal injuries caused by cerebral ischemia. The free iron in human organism increases significantly during ischemia and is responsible for oxidative damage in the brain. We aimed to evaluate serum hepcidin levels in patients with ischemic stroke and connect expected levels to interleukin-6 concentration. Data: We quantify serum hepcidin levels using ELISA assay in 43 patients with acute ischemic stroke. The samples were taken in the “Aleksandrovska” hospital, Department of Neurology for a period 2013 – 2014 year. We measure serum iron levels (AAS), IL-6 (CLIA) and ferritin (ECLIA) concentration. Results were compared to a control group from previous studies. Results: We found significant elevated serum hepcidin levels in patients with acute ischemic stroke 79.8 ± 10.9 μg/L compared to the control group 22.4 ± 3.9 μg/L (P < 0.001). Serum IL-6 levels showed significant differences between the groups: control group: 2.6 ± 1.1 ng/L to patients with ischemic stroke 19.9 ± 2.1 ng/L (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Our results indicate that serum iron and hepcidin levels are a part of etiology of cerebral ischemia.