Poststroke Neuropsychiatric Symptoms : Relationships with IL-17 and Oxidative Stress

Abstract EN

Stroke variably activates interleukin- (IL-) 17 expression, reduces regulatory T cells, and induces oxidative stress, which may support neurodegeneration.

Ischemic stroke patients were screened for depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D)) and cognitive status (Mini Mental State Examination).

Proinflammatory cytokines (IL-17, IL-23, and interferon- [IFN-] γ), anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, and lipid hydroperoxide (LPH), a measure of oxidative stress, were assayed from fasting serum.

Of 47 subjects (age 71.8 ± 14.4 years, 36% female), 19 had depressive symptoms (CES-D ≥ 16), which was associated with poorer cognitive status (F1,46=8.44, P=0.006).

IL-17 concentrations did not differ between subjects with and without depressive symptoms (F1,46=8.44, P=0.572); however, IL-17 was associated with poorer cognitive status in subjects with depressive symptoms (F1,46=9.29, P=0.004).

In those subjects with depressive symptoms, IL-17 was associated with higher LPH (ρ=0.518, P=0.023) and lower IL-10 (ρ=-0.484, P=0.036), but not in those without.

In conclusion, poststroke depressive symptoms may be associated with cognitive vulnerability to IL-17 related pathways, involving an imbalance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory activity and increased oxidative stress.