The Use of Soluble Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 and Soluble Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 as Potential Biomarkers in Patients with Atherosclerotic Cerebrovascular Disease

The role of inflammation and inflammatory biomarkers in the pathogenesis of stroke and atherosclerosis is increasingly appreciated. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Adhesion Molecules [soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1)] in atherosclerotic ischemic stroke and its relation with cerebrovascular risk factors, atherosclerotic measures, stroke outcome and neuroimaging findings. This study included 30 ischemic stroke patients and 30 healthy controls. Patients were evaluated clinically and by outcome scales [Barthel Index (BI) modified Rankin Scale (mRS)]. All subjects have undergone laboratory quantization for serum levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 and ultrasound imaging (Doppler for Ankle Brachial Index (ABI), Extra-and Trans cranial color coded duplex).Levels of sICAM-1 sVCAM-1 were higher in the patient group and correlated with carotid atherosclerotic plaques and stenosis. We concluded that elevations in sICAM reflect overt atherosclerosis while sVCAM is suggestive of advanced degree of atherosclerotic disease.