Plasma S100A12 is associated with functional outcome after ischemic stroke: Research for Biomarkers in Ischemic Stroke

Background Ischemic stroke is accompanied by an inflammatory response, which exacerbates brain injury and deteriorates functional outcome. S100A12 is expressed abundantly in granulocytes, and has been implicated to play an important role on inflammatory reactions in various disease states. We aimed to determine the association between plasma S100A12 levels and a functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods We prospectively included 171 patients with acute ischemic stroke within 24 h after onset in this study. Plasma samples were collected for the measurement of S100A12 levels. Poor functional outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale of 2-6 at day 90 after stroke onset. Results Of 171 patients, 74 (43.3%) had a poor functional outcome at day 90 after stroke onset. Plasma S100A12 levels on admission were significantly higher in patients with a poor functional outcome (2.1 [1.2-5.1] ng/mL, median [interquartile]) than in those with a favorable outcome (1.1 [0.5-2.0] ng/mL; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the highest quartile of plasma S100A12 levels on admission showed a significantly higher risk for a poor functional outcome (odds ratio, 4.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-16.10; p = 0.03) than the lowest quartile. Conclusions High plasma S100A12 levels on admission are associated with a poor functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke.