Role of interleukin-6 in ischemic stroke outcome

Background: High levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin (IL)-6 are associated with worse outcome after ischemic stroke. Objectives: To study whether the level of IL-6 following ischemic stroke is related to the severity of stroke, infarct volume, stroke subtype, and its impact on stroke outcome. Materials and methods: A total of 90 patients of acute ischemic stroke were enrolled with calculation of infarct volume in MRI brain, and serum IL-6 samples were obtained within 24 h and also after 3 months from stroke onset. NIHSS and MRS were done at stroke onset and after 3 months. Results: The mean value of IL-6 was higher among patients with small vessel occlusion (8.47 pg/ml) with a significant positive correlation between IL-6 and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin Scale (MRS) after 3 months. IL-6 was significantly higher in patients with recurrence with a cutoff IL-6 value above which recurrence is anticipated which is 7.75 pg/ml. Conclusion: Our study concluded that inflammation has an important role in the pathogenesis of acute ischemic stroke particularly small vessel occlusion and it provided evidence that IL-6 contributes to the determination of clinical outcome of acute ischemic stroke and prediction of recurrence.