RESUMEN
To study transforming growth factor- beta 1 [TGF- beta1] in elderly subjects with recent cerebrovascular stroke [CVS]. Circulating plasma levels of TGE- beta1 were measured in the three studied groups; group I: 20 elderly subjects with CVS, attack within 24 hours, ten were males and ten were females, were compared to group II: 20 elderly age-matched healthy subjects and group III: 10 healthy adult subjects as control Lipid profile, erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP] were estimated in all studied groups, also computerized tomography [CT] of the brain was done in group I patients to diagnose the ischemic nature of stroke. TGF- beta1 levels were significantly lower in group I [elderly stroke group], than group II [elderly healthy], which were significantly lower than that in group III [healthy adults], with mean values of 22.96 +/- 8.86 ng/ml, 48A9 +/- 15.63 ng/ml and 63.93 +/- 9.54 ng/ml respectively [F = 43.3, P - 0.0001]. A significant negative correlation was found between TGF- beta1 levels and age, serum cholesterol, triglyceride [TG], ESR-I, ESR-2 and hs-CRP. On the other hand, a significant positive correlation was found between TGF- beta1 and high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] levels. Low levels of TGF- beta1 in elderly subjects significantly influence the occurrence of ischemic CVS suggesting an important role of this cytokine in the process of protection from such strokes. Further prospective studies are needed to evaluate the use of this cytokine levels as a marker for the development of ischemic CVS and this may provide the basis for evaluation, follow-up, and novel protective therapy in elderly patients with cerebral atherosclerosis