Expression of autophagy and apoptosis biomarkers in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Introduction and Aim: Apoptosis, autophagy, and necrosis are the main mechanisms of neuron death in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This study aimed to evaluate the expression of apoptosis and autophagy biomarkers in peripheral blood of patients with AIS. Materials and Methods: Sixty-eight patients (32 men and 36 women) aged 30-60 years with AIS underwent a clinical and neurological examination on the 1st, 7th, and 14th days after the disease onset. The expression of apoptosis and autophagy biomarkers in peripheral blood was evaluated by flow cytometry and compared with the severity of neurological deficit and injury on the 1st, 7th, and 14th days, using correlation analysis. Results: There is a statistical significance compared with the control group and an increase in the expression of key biomarkers of apoptosis and autophagy was revealed. Increased expression levels of annexin A5 and caspase-3 positively correlate with the severity of neurological deficit and injury on the 1st and 7th days from the onset of the disease. Conclusion: A direct correlation was revealed between elevated levels of apoptosis and autophagy biomarkers in peripheral blood and severity of neurological deficit and injury on the 1st, 7th, and 14th days from the onset of AIS.