Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) ›› 2026, Vol. 52 ›› Issue (2): 499-506.doi: 10.13481/j.1671-587X.20260222

• Research in clinical medicine • Previous Articles    

Changes in serum cytokine levels, immune status and risk factor analysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Jiulin YOU1,2,Liangshu FENG1,Xin LI2,Xinyu WANG1,Shuang WANG1,Mingqin ZHU1,Lingmin ZHAO1,Xingqi SU1,Jing WANG1,Jiachun FENG1,Chuan WANG1(),Di MA1()   

  1. 1.Department of Neurology,First Hospital,Jilin University,Changchun 130021,China
    2.Department of Neurology,Affiliated Hospital,Qingdao University,Qingdao 266000,China
  • Received:2025-06-05 Accepted:2025-07-29 Online:2026-03-28 Published:2026-04-15
  • Contact: Chuan WANG,Di MA E-mail:wangchuan39@126.com;madi2017@jlu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Objective To discuss the levels of cytokines and the immune status in the serum of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), and to clarify the effects of factors such as homocysteine (Hcy) level, post-stroke infection, and smoking on the immune response in AIS patients. Methods A total of 53 AIS patients were selected. Basic information of the patients was collected, and serum samples were collected within 72 h of onset. The levels of various cytokines in the serum of the patients were measured, including Hcy, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The patients were grouped according to the tertiles of Hcy level, the occurrence of post-stroke infection, and smoking status, respectively. The differences in baseline data and the levels of the above cytokines were compared among the patients in various groups; multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the correlations between the levels of various cytokines and Hcy level, smoking status, and other baseline indicators in AIS patients. Results Compared with low Hcy level group, the serum levels of IL-6 and IFN-γ in the patients in high Hcy level group were significantly increased (P<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed an association between Hcy level and IFN-γ level (β=0.363, P<0.05). Compared with non-infection group, the serum level of IL-4 in the patients in infection group was significantly increased (P<0.01), while the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio in serum of the patients showed a decreasing trend, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Compared with non-smoking group, the serum levels of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-γ in the patients in smoking group were significantly increased (P<0.05). Conclusion In AIS patients, high Hcy level and smoking are associated with increased levels of multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum of the patients, and the occurrence of post-stroke infection is associated with increased levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines in the serum of the patients.

Key words: Acute ischemic stroke, Cytokine, Immune balance, Homocysteine, Smoking, Post-stroke infection

CLC Number: 

  • R743.3