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Background TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily and its serum level is known to be closely associated with future cardiovascular events and prognosis of various cardiovascular diseases. We investigated whether serum TRAIL levels are associated with the severity of acute ischemic stroke and specific stroke subtype. Methods We used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure the serum TRAIL levels of 293 patients with acute ischemic stroke within 7 days of onset. Stroke subtype was classified as large artery atherosclerosis, cardioembolism, small vessel occlusion and other determined etiology. We used National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of first hospital day and stroke volume on diffusion-weighted imaging within 7 days of stroke onset for measuring the severity of acute ischemic stroke. Results The level of serum TRAIL showed significant negative correlations with NIHSS score and stroke volume. Serum TRAIL levels significantly decreased as the tertile of NIHSS score and stroke volume increased. The relative risk of patients with serum TRAIL < 64.0 pg/mL for the presence of highest tertile of NIHSS score was significantly increased (adjusted OR [95%CI]; 7.07 [3.64–13.74]). Regarding stroke volume, the relative risk of patients with serum TRAIL < 71.5 pg/mL for the presence of highest tertile of stroke volume was also significantly increased (adjusted OR [95%CI]; 2.81 [1.61–4.92]). There are no significant differences of serum TRAIL level among stroke subtypes. Conclusions Low serum TRAIL levels were significantly associated with the acute ischemic stroke severity. This finding suggests that serum TRAIL might also have a role in acute ischemic stroke as well as other cardiovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of risk factors for cardiovascular disease related to insulin resistance. Recently, serum gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) has been proposed as a marker of oxidative stress and is associated with a marked increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease. So, we investigated the association between serum GGT and components of the metabolic syndrome in the Korean adults. A total 3246 adults (aged 20–70 years, 1622 men and 1624 women) who visited Center for Health Promotion in Pusan National University Hospital for a medical checkup were included. We measured serum GGT and lipid profiles, fasting glucose, fasting insulin and blood pressure. As the quartile of serum GGT increased, the number of components of MS and prevalence of MS were increased. Serum GGT was also increased according as the number of components of MS was increased. A significant correlation (r =0.200, p <0.001 in men and r =0.133, p <0.001 in women) was noted between the numbers of the components of the MS and serum GGT. In addition, serum GGT was correlated significantly (r =0.266, p <0.001 in men and r =0.264, p <0.001 in women) with homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). In linear regression model, serum GGT was mainly influenced by the concentration of triglycerides and fasting glucose. In conclusion, serum GGT is closely related with insulin resistance and the increased number of components of MS. Among components of MS, serum GGT may be more associated with dyslipidemia and abnormal glucose tolerance, suggesting that serum GGT has more relationship with hepatic insulin resistance regardless of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]