Introduction. A significant proportion of neurons in the course of ischemic stroke undergoes apoptosis. There are data regarding elevated concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and of other cytokines in the peripheral blood during ischemic stroke. TNF-α is an inductor of apoptosis and there are also data on the participation of secretory phospholipase A2 (sFLA2) in apoptosis. In the presented work, we have focused on studying the relationship between apoptosis of peripheral lymphocytes and sFLA2 activity in patients with ischemic stroke. Material and Methods. In a group of 21 patients with documented ischemic stroke, we compared the activity of secretory phospholipase A2 with values of apoptosis of peripheral lymphocytes at disease onset (before treatment) and after treatment. Results. In a group of healthy controls, the mean activity of sFLA2 was 3.2 ± 0.9 nmol/mg of proteins/min. In patients with ischemic stroke before treatment, the sFLA2 concentration was 7.2 ± 1.1 nmol/mg of proteins/min. After treatment, the mean sFLA2 concentration was 6.1 ± 0.8 nmol/mg of proteins/min. In normals, the values of apoptosis of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood were 12.1 ± 3.1 %. In ischemic stroke prior to treatment, the average value of apoptosis of peripheral lymphocytes were 21.49 ± 7.73 %, whereas after therapy they reached 21.01 ± 7.29 %. Conclusion. We found significantly higher levels of serum sFLA2 activity as well as higher apoptosis of peripheral lymphocytes in ischemic stroke patients when compared to healthy individuals. These values were not significantly influenced by treatment.

        Key words: apoptosis of lymphocytes, ischemic stroke, secretory phospholipase A2