ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between blood pressure variability (BPV) and poststroke cognitive impairment (PSCI).MethodsSeven-hundred ninety-six patients with acute ischemic stroke were included in this study. Midterm BPV was evaluated by calculating the SD and coefficient of variation (CV, 100 × SD/mean) of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure during the 7 days after stroke onset. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) at admission and at all follow-up visits. Patients with MoCA scores <26 were considered to have PSCI.ResultsThe incidence of PSCI reached its peak (72%) 3 months after stroke onset and decreased to 30.3% at 12 months poststroke. After adjusting for covariables, the increase in the prevalence of PSCI at 3 months was independently associated with increases in the CV of blood pressure during the 7 days after stroke [odds ratios and 95% CI for patients in the second to fifth quintiles of SBP CV were 2.28 (1.18, 4.39), 2.33 (1.18, 4.62), 2.69 (1.31, 5.53), and 4.76 (1.95, 11.67), respectively]. Sub-analysis of the MoCA scores revealed that the patients had impairments in visuoperceptual abilities and executive functions, as well as in naming and delayed recall (p < 0.05).ConclusionMidterm BPV during the early phase of acute ischemic stroke is independently associated with PSCI, especially in the visuoperceptual, executive, and delayed recall domains.Clinical Trial Registration, identifier ChiCTR-TRC-14004804.

URL: https://www.chictr.org. Unique identifier: ChiCTR-TRC-14004804.

Aim Follistatin‐like‐1 (FSTL‐1) is considered to be a novel cytokine, and it is associated with metabolic diseases. However, it is necessary to investigate further the association of FSTL‐1 with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and insulin resistance (IR). We performed a cross‐sectional study to investigate the associated of circulating FSTL‐1 with the MetS. Materials and methods A cross‐sectional study was performed in 487 Chinese people, including 231 control subjects and 256 patients with MetS. Bioinformatics analysis was used to determine the protein and pathways associated with FSTL‐1. The protein and protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed and analysed. Serum FSTL‐1 concentrations were determined by an ELISA assay. The association of FSTL‐1 with MetS components and IR was assessed. Results Serum FSTL‐1 levels were markedly higher in patients with newly diagnosed MetS than in controls (7.5 [5.6‐9.2] vs 5.8 [5.0‐7.7] μg/L, P < .01). According to bioinformatics analysis, the top high‐degree genes were identified as the core genes, including SPARCL1, CYR61, LTBP1, IL‐6, BMP2, BMP4, FBN1, FN1 CHRDL1 and FSTL‐3. These genes are mainly enriched in pathways including TGF‐ß, AGE‐RAGE signalling pathway in diabetic complications, and Hippo signalling pathways; in basal cell carcinoma, cytokine‐cytokine receptor interaction and in amoebic and Yersinia infections. Furthermore, serum FSTL‐1 levels were positively associated with fasting plasma glucose (FPG), waist circumference (WC), blood pressure, triglyceride levels and visceral adiposity index (VAI). We found that serum FSTL‐1 levels were markedly associated with MetS and IR by binary logistic regression analysis. Conclusions We conclude that FSTL‐1 may be a novel cytokine related to MetS and IR.

BackgroundPrevious animal studies have revealed that CTRP7 is related to energy metabolism. However, little is known regarding the relationship between CTRP7 and metabolic diseases in humans. Hence, this study was designed to explore the association between CTRP7 and MetS through a cross-sectional study and multiple intervention studies.MethodsA total of 624 individuals were enrolled in this study. The levels of CTRP7 and APN were determined by ELISA kit. HEC, OGTT and lipid infusion were performed in heathy individuals to investigate the association of CTRP7 and glucose, insulin and FFA. Bioinformatics analysis was then undertaken to identify genes and signaling pathways associated with CTRP7. The relationship between CTRP7 with MetS components was also evaluated.ResultsIn MetS patients, serum CTRP7 concentrations were significantly higher than in healthy controls, and was positively correlated with WC, BP, FBG, 2h-BG and TG, but negatively correlated with HDL-C and APN. Multivariate logistic regression analysis uncovered that CTRP7 was strongly correlated with the occurrence of MetS. In addition, circulating levels of CTRP7 in patients with two or more MetS components were higher than those with one MetS component. In the intervention studies, OGTTs resulted in a significant reduction in serum CTRP7 concentration. However, the increase in insulin levels caused by EHC and the increase of FFA caused by lipid-infusion led to the significant increase of serum CTRP7 concentration. Meanwhile, bioinformatics analysis revealed that CTRP7 was strongly associated with metabolism-related genes and signal pathways, which further illustrate the association of CTRP7 with whole-body metabolism.ConclusionsSerum CTRP7 is increased in MetS patients, which may be a biomarker related to metabolic diseases.Clinical Trial Registration NumberChiCTR2000032878

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