Impact of telomere length on stroke prognosis

Abstract

Background And Aims: Telomere length shortening is associated with age and other risk factors of stroke. Recent studies indicate that short leukocyte telomere length is associated with stroke occurrence. However, less evidence is available regarding post-stroke recovery. Objectives: To analyze the association between telomere length and post-stroke recovery in a cohort of stroke patients. To evaluate the association of telomere length with stroke etiology and vascular risk factors. To evaluate the possible underlying molecular mechanisms through experimental methods. Methods: Telomere length of peripheral blood leukocytes was measured by quantitative PCR on admission, 3 and 6 months after stroke. During follow up the functional outcomes were evaluated (mRs). We also evaluated neuronal telomere length in primary cultures after and experimental ischemia protocol (oxygen and glucose deprivation). Results: Our preliminary results suggest that good functional outcome could be associated with increased mean leukocyte telomere length at 6 months after stroke (mR< ¼ 2). Three cohorts of patients from different regions will be evaluated to corroborate our results. In vitro experiments have shown increased telomere length in survival neurons after oxygen and glucose deprivation protocol. Conclusions: The control of cardiovascular risk factors after stroke would have a key role in the regulation of telomere length and then in stroke prognosis