Invention:
This invention pertains to the use of arachidonic acid derivatives as plasma indicators for the diagnosis and prognosis of inflammation, including chronic inflammation, following ischemic stroke (IS). Researchers have identified novel plasma biomarkers indicative of neurodegeneration and inflammation in a mouse model of stroke, with particular emphasis on one significantly altered within 24 hours during stroke recovery: 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE). Arachidonic acid, released from cellular membranes upon encountering inflammatory stimuli, serves as the precursor for 12-HETE synthesis. These findings provide insight into the metabolic alterations in the plasma post-stroke and highlight the potential of arachidonic acid derivatives as biomarkers of inflammation.
Background:
According to the Stroke Awareness Foundation, ischemic strokes are the most common type of stroke, accounting for about 87% of all cases. In one second, 32,000 brain cells die, and within 59 seconds, an ischemic stroke will have killed 1.9 million brain cells. The death of brain cells triggers a cascade of inflammatory responses, which can exacerbate damage. Annually, approximately 795,000 people experience a stroke in the United States alone, making ischemic stroke a leading cause of mortality and long-term disability worldwide.
Despite its prevalence, there are currently no diagnostics or treatments specifically targeting inflammation after a stroke. This underscores the urgent need for advancements in diagnostic methodologies to improve patient outcomes. In particular, there is an urgent need for technology that can monitor inflammation after a stroke, as this inflammation may cause further neurodegeneration for weeks following the initial event.
Investigating plasma biomarkers offers significant advantages in this endeavor. Plasma biomarkers can provide real-time insights into the dynamic inflammatory processes involved in ischemic strokes, enabling more accurate diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of treatment efficacy. This new discovery holds promise as a plasma biomarker for inflammation and the enhancement of ischemic stroke treatment.
Applications:
- Novel inflammatory biomarker for ischemic stroke diagnosis and prognosis
Advantages:
- Furthered insight into the metabolic operations occurring during IS
- Examines the potential of myelin degradation
- Identifies the novel arachidonic acid biomarkers in addition to 12-HETE
- Improves possibility of accuracy in IS diagnosis and prognosis
- Validated in mouse model experiments
