B-group vitamin supplementation mitigates oxidative damage after acute ischaemic stroke

2004 ◽  
Vol 107 (5) ◽  
pp. 477-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajesh ULLEGADDI ◽  
Hilary J. POWERS ◽  
Salah E. GARIBALLA

Evidence shows that there is a rapid increase in the production of markers of oxidative damage immediately following acute stroke and that endogenous antioxidant defences are rapidly depleted, thus permitting further tissue damage. Several studies point to an antioxidant effect of B-group vitamins and a pro-oxidant effect of elevated plasma tHcy (total homocysteine). In the present study, we assessed whether supplementary B-group vitamins during this critical period will enhance antioxidant capacity and mitigate oxidative damage. Forty-eight patients with acute ischaemic stroke within 12 h of symptom onset were assigned to receive daily oral supplements of B-group vitamins comprising 5 mg of folate, 5 mg of vitamin B2, 50 mg of vitamin B6 and 0.4 mg of vitamin B12 (n=24) or no supplements (n=24) for 14 days. The treatment group and controls were matched for stroke subtype and age. Blood samples were obtained before intervention and also at 7 and 14 days post-recruitment for measurement of the following biomarkers: red cell folate (whole blood folate corrected with haematocrit), erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient (EGRAC; measure of vitamin B2 status), plasma pyridoxal phosphate (vitamin B6 status), plasma vitamin B12, plasma α-tocopherol, plasma ascorbic acid, plasma TAOC (total antioxidant capacity), plasma MDA (malondialdehyde), plasma tHcy and CRP (C-reactive protein). Supplementation for 14 days with B-group vitamins significantly increased the plasma concentrations of pyridoxal phosphate and red blood cell folate and improved a measure of B2 status compared with the control group (P<0.05). Plasma tHcy decreased in both groups albeit less in the control group, but differences in cumulative changes were not significant. There was, however, a decrease in plasma MDA concentration in the treatment group, in contrast with the increase seen in the control group and these differences were significant (P=0.05). CRP concentration, a marker of tissue inflammation, was significantly lower in the treatment group compared with controls (P<0.05). In conclusion, B-group vitamin supplementation immediately post-infarct may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in stroke disease independent of a homocysteine-lowering effect.

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e037391
Author(s):  
Jianmiao Wang ◽  
Yuanyuan Chen ◽  
Yuping Zhang ◽  
Mei Li ◽  
Jingfen Jin

IntroductionStroke is the second-leading cause of death and disability in the world, and patients with stroke often suffer from functional impairments and need rehabilitation. Notably, there is much evidence that rehabilitation can lead to better mortality and morbidity outcomes. The evidence for the effectiveness of rehabilitation nursing, however, is limited. Thus, this study seeks to explore whether rehabilitation nursing is not inferior to usual rehabilitation for motor functional recovery in patients with acute ischaemic stroke.Methods and analysisWe will conduct an assessor-blinded parallel randomised controlled trial of patients who meet the inclusion criteria after stratification by weighted corticospinal tract lesion load. The experimental group will receive rehabilitation nursing by trained and qualified nurses (seven consecutive days, two sessions per day, 30 min each session). The control group will receive usual rehabilitation provided by therapists (seven consecutive days, two sessions per day, 30 min each session). The primary outcome measures are the Motor Assessment Scale, the Fugl-Meyer Assessment and the Action Research Arm Test. The secondary outcome measures are the modified Rankin Scale, the modified Barthel Index and the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale. Primary and secondary outcome assessment will be performed before and after the intervention, and secondary outcome be assessed at 4 and 12 weeks follow-up. We will recruit 224 patients within a period of 12–18 months from a hospital in southeastern China.Ethics and disseminationThe study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee from the corresponding author’s hospital (approval Number is Ethical Review Study No. 2018 - 112). Peer-reviewed journals and presentations at national and international conferences will be used to disseminate the results.Trial registration numberNCT03702452.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 360-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ce Li ◽  
Tingting Zhang ◽  
Kewei Yu ◽  
Hongyu Xie ◽  
Yulong Bai ◽  
...  

Background Acupuncture is a traditional method that has been widely used in various fields of medicine with therapeutic effect. However, evidence of effectiveness to support the application of electroacupuncture (EA) during the process of ischaemia is scarce. Objectives To investigate dynamic changes in hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α expression as well as its association with neurological status in rats subjected to acute ischaemic stroke and EA intervention. Methods Forty adult male rats were randomly divided into three groups that received sham surgery (Control group, n=10) or underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion and EA (MCAO+EA group, n=15) or minimal acupuncture as a control treatment (MCAO+MA group, n=15). The rats in the MCAO+EA and MCAO+MA groups received EA or acupuncture without any electrical current, respectively, during 90 min of ischaemia. Rats in the Control group received the same surgical procedure but without MCAO. EA involved electrical stimulation of needles inserted into the quadriceps at 50 Hz frequency and 3 mA current intensity. Neurological status was evaluated on postoperative day 1, and cerebral infarction volume (IV) and HIF-1α expression 24 hours later. Results Neurological scores were improved and cerebral IV was decreased in the MCAO+EA group compared to the MCAO+MA group (both p<0.05). Moreover, HIF-1α expression was higher in the MCAO+EA group versus the MCAO+MA group (p<0.05). Conclusions EA enhanced recovery of neurological function, decreased cerebral IV and increased HIF-1α expression in ischaemic rats. Further research is needed to determine whether EA is effective for stroke treatment through the stimulation of muscle contraction.


2021 ◽  
pp. svn-2020-000828
Author(s):  
Liping Liu ◽  
Yilong Wang ◽  
Xuewei Xie ◽  
Dacheng Liu ◽  
Aili Wang ◽  
...  

BackgroundsIncreased blood pressure (BP) for patients who had an acute ischaemic stroke is associated with poor functional outcome, however the optimal timing of antihypertensive therapy is unknown.AimsWe aim to compare early antihypertensive treatment to delayed antihypertensive treatment for reducing the risk of composite major disability and mortality at 3 months in acute ischaemic stroke.DesignThe China Antihypertensive Trial in Acute Ischemic Stroke II (CATIS-2) trial is a multicentre, randomised, open-label, blinded-endpoints trial that will be conducted in 100 hospitals in China. The primary outcome is the composite of death and major disability (modified Rankin Scale score ≥3) at 3 months of randomisation. Antihypertensive treatment will be received immediately after randomisation in the early treatment group, aimed at average systolic BP by 10%–20% reduction within the first 24 hours, and achieving an average BP level of <140/90 mm Hg within 5 days. Patients in the delayed treatment group will discontinue any antihypertension medications for the first 7 days of randomisation, and will receive antihypertensive therapy achieving a BP goal of <140/90 mm Hg after 7 days.ConclusionThe CATIS-2 trial will be testing the hypotheses that early BP lowering leads to improved functional outcome without any other harms, and developing clinical guidelines of the BP management for patients who had an acute ischaemic stroke.Trial registration numberNCT03479554.


2021 ◽  
pp. svn-2021-000978
Author(s):  
Shuya Li ◽  
Yuesong Pan ◽  
Ziran Wang ◽  
Zhigang Liang ◽  
Huisheng Chen ◽  
...  

BackgroundTenecteplase (TNK) possesses several pharmacological characteristics superior to conventional alteplase (rt-PA), with well-established safety and efficacy profile in Caucasians. There exists controversy over the optimal dose of intravenous rt-PA for East Asians with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). Current study aimed to determine the safety dose range of recombinant human TNK tissue-type plasminogen activator (rhTNK-tPA) for patients with AIS in China.MethodsThis multicentre, prospective, randomised, open-label, blinded end-point, phase II study compared three tiers of 0.1, 0.25, 0.32 mg/kg rhTNK-tPA (to a maximum of 40 mg) with standard 0.9 mg/kg rt-PA (to a maximum of 90 mg) in patients who were eligible for intravenous thrombolysis. The safety outcome were symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (sICH) within 36 hours.ResultsBetween May 2018 and February 2020, 240 patients were randomly assigned to four group, 4 of whom did not receive study treatment. The intention-to-treat analysis included 236 patients. There was no difference in the improvement on National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at day 14 in the 3 tiers and control group (63.3%, 77.2%, 66.7% vs 62.7%). The number of sICH was 3 of 60 (5.0%) in the 0.1 mg/kg group, none in the 0.25 mg/kg group, 2 of 60 (3.3%) in the 0.32 mg/kg group and 1 (1.7%) of 59 in the rt-PA group. There were no significant between-group differences in severe adverse events.ConclusionsSimilar to the Caucasians, rhTNK-tPA was well tolerated in Chinese patients with AIS at all doses administered within 3 hours of symptom onset. The dose-efficacy profile of rhTNK-tPA needs to be established with future investigations.Trial registration numberNCT04676659.


2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 349-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching-Hsiung Liu ◽  
Yu-Ting Hsieh ◽  
Hung-Pin Tseng ◽  
Hung-Chih Lin ◽  
Chun-Liang Lin ◽  
...  

Objective To determine the required sample size for, and feasibility of, a RCT examining the effectiveness of early acupuncture for acute ischaemic stroke. Methods Thirty-eight patients aged 40–85 years with a first episode of acute ischaemic stroke presenting within 72 h of stroke onset were randomly assigned to receive manual acupuncture (MA group; n=20) plus standard care or standard care only (control group, n=18). The acupuncture treatment was provided daily for 2 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score between baseline and 4 weeks. Secondary outcomes included changes in the Fugl–Meyer assessment (FMA) and the functional independence measure scores between baseline and 4 weeks, and changes in NIHSS, Barthel Index and modified Rankin Scale scores at 12 weeks. Results Thirty-one patients completed the study (dropout rate=18%) and adverse effects were minimal. No significant differences were seen between groups in the improvements in NIHSS scores, although there tended to be a greater reduction in NIHSS score after 1 week in the MA group relative to the control group (p=0.066). The post-stroke motor activity at 4 weeks was associated with a significantly increased FMA score in the acupuncture group compared with the control group (p<0.05), but not supported by intergroup analysis. Conclusions This pilot study indicates that acupuncture appears to be safe for patients in the acute stage of ischaemic stroke. A subsequent trial with a larger sample size (estimated at n=122) is required to confirm whether early acupuncture intervention contributes to earlier functional improvement and to assess the longer-term clinical efficacy of acupuncture. Trial Registration Number NCT02210988; Results.


2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-335
Author(s):  
Federico Menetti ◽  
Luca Verganti ◽  
Andrea Zini ◽  
Stefano Vallone ◽  
Paolo Carpeggiani ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intra-arterial therapy as a rescue strategy after clinically failed intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in acute ischaemic stroke patients. We conducted a retrospective analysis of consecutive acute ischaemic stroke patients treated with rescue therapy. The results from this study group were compared with those obtained from a control group consisting of 260 consecutive patients treated with IVT alone. The study group consisted of 52 patients with a mean age of 63 years and a median NIHSS score at admission of 17. Recanalization was achieved in 92% with a symptomatic haemorrhage rate of 9.6%. Rescue patients admitted with a severe stroke (NIHSS score >12) had a significantly better outcome at 90 days compared to patients with the same score but treated with IVT alone. No difference was seen for patients with a lower score at admission. This study indicates that rescue therapy may increase the proportion of patients with independent outcome if presenting with a severe stroke (NIHSS score >12) without increasing the rate of symptomatic haemorrhage.


VASA ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naz Ahmed ◽  
Damian Kelleher ◽  
Manmohan Madan ◽  
Sarita Sochart ◽  
George A. Antoniou

Abstract. Background: Insufficient evidence exists to support the safety of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) following intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) for acute ischaemic stroke. Our study aimed to report a single-centre experience of patients treated over a five-year period. Patients and methods: Departmental computerised databases were interrogated to identify patients who suffered an ischaemic stroke and subsequently underwent thrombolysis followed by CEA. Mortality and stroke within 30 days of surgery were defined as the primary outcome end points. Results: Over a five-year period, 177 out of a total of 679 carotid endarterectomies (26 %) were performed in patients presenting with acute ischaemic stroke. Twenty-five patients (14 %) received IVT prior to CEA in the form of alteplase. Sixty percent of patients were male with a mean age of 68 years. Sixteen patients (64 %) underwent CEA within 14 days of IVT and the median interval between thrombolysis and CEA was 7.5 days (range, 3–50 days). One female patient died of a further intraoperative stroke within 30 days of surgery, yielding a mortality rate of 4 %. Two patients (8 %) suffered from cardiac complications postoperatively resulting in a short high dependency unit stay. Another two patients (8 %) developed local wound complications, which were managed conservatively without the need for re-operation. The median hospital length of stay was 4.5 days (range, 1–33 days). Conclusions: Our experience indicates that CEA post-thrombolysis has a low incidence of mortality. Further high quality evidence is required before CEA can be routinely recommended following IVT for acute ischaemic stroke.


Author(s):  
Florian Arendt

A test was done to see if reading a newspaper which consistently overrepresents foreigners as criminals strengthens the automatic association between foreign country and criminal in memory (i.e., implicit cultivation). Further, an investigation was done to find out if reading articles from the same newspaper produces a short-term effect on the same measure and if (1) emotionalization of the newspaper texts, (2) emotional reactions of the reader (indicated by arousal), and (3) attributed text credibility moderate the short-term treatment effect. Eighty-five participants were assigned to one of three experimental conditions. Participants in the control group received short factual crime texts, where the nationality of the offender was not mentioned. Participants in the factual treatment group received the same texts, but the foreign nationality was mentioned. Participants in the emotionalized treatment group received emotionalized articles (i.e., texts which are high in vividness and frequency) covering the same crimes, with the foreign nationality mentioned. Supporting empirical evidence for implicit cultivation and a short-term effect was found. However, only emotionalized articles produced a short-term effect on the strength of the automatic association, indicating that newspaper texts must have a minimum of stimulus intensity to overcome an effect threshold. There were no moderating effects of arousal or credibility pertaining to the impact on the implicit measure. However, credibility moderated the short-term effect on a first-order judgment (i.e., estimated frequency of foreigners of all criminals). This indicates that a newspaper’s effect on the strength of automatic associations is relatively independent from processes of propositional reasoning.


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