Correlation between cerebral microbleeds and S100B/RAGE in acute lacunar stroke patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: S100B and its scavenger, soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE), participate in various acute and chronic brain disorders. However, their impact on hemorrhage-prone small vessel disease represented by cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of CMBs with plasma S100B and sRAGE.

METHODS: A cohort of 147 consecutive patients with first-ever acute lacunar stroke was prospectively enrolled. We collected demographic, clinical, and laboratory data, including plasma levels of S100B and sRAGE, and presence and number of CMBs using susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI). Associations between plasma S100B, sRAGE levels and the presence, number, and location of CMBs were determined.

RESULTS: CMBs were present in 58 patients (39.5%). Each 1SD-increase in S100B and sRAGE levels was significantly associated with presence of CMBs (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 3.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.81-5.17 and adjusted OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.16-0.53; respectively) and number of CMBs (adjusted relative risk [RR], 4.07; 95% CI, 3.60-5.65 for S100B and RR 0.34; 95% CI, 0.25-0.46 for sRAGE). When stratified by location, plasma S100B and sRAGE levels were similarly associated with presence of deep CMBs (adjusted OR, 3.65; 95% CI, 1.99-6.69 and adjusted OR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.12-0.46; respectively), but not with strictly lobar CMBs.

CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of S100B and lower levels of sRAGE are independently associated with presence and number of CMBs in patients with first-ever acute lacunar stroke, particularly in those with deep CMBs.