Mounting evidence indicates an association between adipokines and
inflammation-related atherosclerosis. Here, we sought to investigate the
association of vaspin and omentin with clinical characteristics and
outcomes of patients with acute cerebral ischemia (ACI). Consecutive ACI
patients were evaluated within 24 h from symptom-onset. Stroke aetiology
was classified using TOAST criteria. Adipokines were assayed using
quantikine enzyme immunoassay commercially available kits. Stroke
severity was assessed by NIHSS-score, and ipsilateral carotid stenosis
(>= 50% by NASCET criteria) by ultrasound and CT/MR angiography. Major
cerebrovascular events were assessed at three months. We included 135
ACI patients (05 (78%) and 30 (22%) with acute ischemic stroke and
transient ischemic attack, respectively; mean age +/- SD: 59 +/- 10
years; 68% men; median NIHSS-score: 3 (IQR:1-7)). Omentin was strongly
correlated to admission stroke severity (Spearman rho coefficient:
+0.303; p < 0.001). Patients with ipsilateral carotid stenosis had
higher omentin levels compared to patients without stenosis (13.3 +/-
8.9 ng/mL vs. 9.5 +/- 5.5 ng/mL, p = 0.014). Increasing omentin levels
were independently associated with higher stroke severity (linear
regression coefficient = 0.290; 95%CI: 0.063-0.516; p = 0.002) and
ipsilateral carotid stenosis (linear regression coefficient = 3.411;
95%CI: 0.194-6.628; p = 0.038). No association of vaspin with clinical
characteristics and outcomes was found. Circulating omentin may
represent a biomarker for the presence of atherosclerotic plaque,
associated with higher stroke severity in ACI patients