Open AccessSignificant Association Between Low Mitochondrial DNA Content in Peripheral Blood Leukocytes and Ischemic Stroke
Author(s) -
Lien LiMing,
Chiou HungYi,
Yeh HsuLing,
Chiu ShangYen,
Jeng JiannShing,
Lin HueyJuan,
Hu ChaurJong,
Hsieh FangI,
Wei YauHuei
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of the american heart association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.494
H-Index - 85
ISSN - 2047-9980
DOI - 10.1161/jaha.117.006157
Subject(s) - medicine , stroke (engine) , oxidative stress , glutathione , diabetes mellitus , mitochondrial dna , gene , endocrinology , biochemistry , biology , mechanical engineering , engineering , enzyme
Background Cumulative evidence has shown that low mitochondrial DNA (mt DNA ) content is related to elevated oxidative stress and atherosclerosis, which play important roles in ischemic stroke. The objective of this study was to explore the association between mt DNA content in peripheral blood leukocytes and ischemic stroke. Methods and Results A total of 350 patients with first‐ever ischemic stroke and 350 healthy controls were recruited in this case‐control study. The mt DNA content in peripheral blood leukocytes was determined by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The levels of oxidized glutathione, reduced glutathione, and 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine were measured by ELISA kits. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationship between mt DNA content in peripheral blood leukocytes and ischemic stroke. Our results show that mt DNA content of patients with ischemic stroke was notably lower compared with controls. A significant association was found between low mt DNA content and ischemic stroke. Furthermore, significant interactions were identified between low mt DNA and proven risk factors in patients with ischemic stroke. The levels of oxidized glutathione and 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine were significantly greater in patients with ischemic stroke compared with controls. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that low mt DNA content in peripheral blood leukocytes is associated with ischemic stroke. The relationship of low mt DNA content and ischemic stroke was particularly notable in individuals who had low mt DNA content combined with diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, or cigarette smoking. Oxidative stress may be one of the contributory factors to decreased mt DNA content in patients with ischemic stroke.