The relationship between oxidative stress and acute ischemic stroke severity and functional outcome

Background Cerebral ischemia initiates an oxidative stress response in the brain which is a composite process that involves many oxidative stress biomarkers. High levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in patients with acute ischemic stroke had been found. The evaluation of oxidative stress in the acute stage may contribute to improve the post ischemic stroke outcome. Objective The aim of the current study to assess MDA level, as an oxidative stress biomarker, in acute ischemic stroke on admission and its relation with stroke severity on admission and also, its relation with three months short-term outcome. Methods Forty-two patients (20 males and 22 females) with acute ischemic stroke were prospectively enrolled in follow-up cohort study. Serum MDA was measured within 24 h after admission. We studied the relationship between MDA and stroke severity and functional outcome after 3 months assessed by National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) respectively. Results Serum MDA levels correlated significantly with clinical short-term stroke outcome after 3 months ( p < 0.001). Conclusion(s) These data provide evidence that the MDA (an oxidative stress biomarker) may be used as predictor for functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke.