Relationship between arylesterase activity and pulse pressure index in patients with an acute ischemic stroke

Background: Stroke is a multifactorial disease. Arylesterase (ARE) activities have been considered as an anti-atherosclerosis factor. Increased pulse pressure (PP) may lead to a high risk of coronary artery disease and neurovascular morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, there are limitations for PP as an evaluation index. Objectives: In order to overcome the defects of PP, there is a novel parameter, “pulse pressure/systolic pressure” named “pulse pressure index (PPI)” for evaluation of cardiovascular effect. We researched the relationship between ARE activities and pulse pressure index (PPI) in acute ischemic stroke patients. Methods: We evaluated and compared the ARE activity and PPI in 87 ischemic stroke patients and 48 control patients. ARE activity was measured with the ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometric method by using “Rel Assay Diagnostic” kits . Pulse pressure was measured by subtraction of diastolic blood pressure from systolic blood pressure. PPI was calculated as “ pulse pressure / systolic pressure”. Results: Hypertension, age, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia importantly higher in ischemic stroke patients than the control group (p<0.05). PPI was significantly higher in ischemic stroke patients than the control group (0.486±0.075 and 0.417±0.051, p<0.05). ARE activity was significantly lower in ischemic stroke patients than in the control group (511.59 ± 68.51 and 584.16 ± 81.74 p=0.019). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that ARE activity is lower and PPI is higher in acute ischemic stroke patients than control subjects. Our results suggested that, ARE activity and PPI are important risk factors in acute ischemic stroke patients.