Could pro-BNP, uric acid, bilirubin, albumin and transferrin be used in making the distinction between stroke subtypes?

To establish the pathogenesis of ischemic strokes is very important in determining an adequate therapy. The objective was to observe if certain plasma parameters could be used as biomarkers in distinguishing between stroke subtypes. Plasma pro-BNP (chemiluminescence), serum uric acid, bilirubin (colorimetric assay), albumin and transferrin (nephelometric assay) levels were performed in 168 admitted patients (mean age 68.7 +/- 11.6 years, 52 men and 116 women) with different subtypes of acute ischemic strokes within 24 hours and at 7 days after stroke onset as TOAST and OCSP criteria, NIHSS and Glasgow Coma Score at baseline and at 7 days were used. The mean value of pro-BNP level was significantly higher in the cardioembolic stroke (CE), in patients, within 24 hours (p < 0.001) and at 7 days (p < 0.001) after stroke onset. A negative correlation between pro-BNP levels and GCS (r = 0.05, p < 0.0002) and a significant difference between pro-BNP levels of NIHSS groups were observed (p < 0.08, respectively (p < 0.01). We observed significantly higher values within 24 hours of uric acid (p < 0.05), significantly lower values within 24 hours of transferrin (p < 0.05), significantly lower values at 7 days of albumin and transferrin (p < 0.001), significantly higher values at 7 days of uric acid and bilirubin (p < 0.001). No significant statistical differences between the values of oxidative stress parameters and stroke subtypes, GCS and NIHSS score were observed. The level of plasma pro-BNP may be useful in distinguishing CE stroke from other stroke subtypes. Oxidative stress is increased in acute ischemic stroke, but oxidative stress parameters could not be used to differentiate stroke subtypes.