Increase of toll-like receptor 4 but decrease of interleukin-8 mRNA expression among ischemic stroke patients under aspirin treatment

Objectives: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are molecules conserved in evolution for detecting pathogen invasions and tissue damage and are involved in atherogenesis. This study explores the mRNA expression of TLRs and their probable role in further disease occurrence among ischemic stroke patients. Design and Methods: A total of 89 ischemic stroke patients and 166 controls were recruited for this study. Total RNA was extracted and mRNA was reverse-transcribed to cDNA and was analyzed for TLRs and interleukin 8 (IL8). Results: The TLR4 mRNA expression level is significantly higher in the stroke group. Conversely, IL-8 mRNA levels decreased significantly in the patient group. Conclusion: Our results suggest that TLR4 overexpression in mRNA levels is observed in stroke patients, which might account for the probable inflammatory injury before or after stroke. A reduction of IL-8 expression could result from the downregulatory effects of aspirin.