Decreased serum SLC7A11 and GPX4 levels may reflect disease severity of acute ischaemic stroke

Chuan-Peng Liu; Su Zheng; Ping Zhang; Guang-Hui Chen; Yuan-Yuan Zhang; Hui-Lin Sun; Li Peng

doi:10.1177/00045632241305927

Decreased serum SLC7A11 and GPX4 levels may reflect disease severity of acute ischaemic stroke

Ann Clin Biochem. 2024 Dec 4:45632241305927. doi: 10.1177/00045632241305927. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Chuan-Peng Liu¹, Su Zheng², Ping Zhang³, Guang-Hui Chen⁴, Yuan-Yuan Zhang⁴, Hui-Lin Sun⁵, Li Peng⁶

Affiliations

¹ Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China.
² Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.
³ Department of Acupuncture, Shiyan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shiyan, China.
⁴ Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.
⁵ Department of Radiology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.
⁶ Shiyan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Shiyan, China.

PMID: 39632577
DOI: 10.1177/00045632241305927

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the levels of solute carrier family seven number 11 (SLC7A11) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) in the serum of patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) and their relationship with disease severity.

Methods: A total of 148 patients with AIS together with 148 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. The expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 in serum were detected immediately as early as possible. Radiographic severity was detected by Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS). Disease severity was evaluated using modified Rankin Scale (mRS). High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression levels were also measured. A correlation analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between the expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 with the clinical severity of the disease and the levels of hs-CRP and MMP-9. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was utilized to assess the potential of SLC7A11 and GPX4 as diagnostic markers.

Results: Compared to the HC group, the serum expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 were significantly lower in the AIS group. Serum SLC7A11 levels were positively associated with serum GPX4 levels. The AIS group included 50 patients with mild neurological impairment, 52 with moderate neurological impairment, and 46 with severe neurological impairment. AIS patients with mild neurological impairment had drastically higher serum SLC7A11 and GPX4 levels compared with those with moderate neurological impairment. AIS patients with moderate neurological impairment showed significantly higher serum SLC7A11 and GPX4 concentrations compared with those with severe neurological impairment. ROC curve analysis demonstrated that both serum SLC7A11 and GPX4 may both act as potential indicators for evaluating of AIS disease severity. In addition, both serum SLC7A11 and GPX4 levels were positively correlated with ASPECTS. Both serum SLC7A11 and GPX4 levels were negatively associated with hs-CRP as well as MMP-9 levels. Serum SLC7A11 and GPX4 levels were significantly increased following comprehensive therapy.

Conclusions: Decreased SLC7A11 and GPX4 levels may reflect disease severity of AIS.

Keywords: Acute ischaemic stroke; disease severity; ferroptosis; glutathione peroxidase 4; solute carrier family seven number 11.