Autophagy‐related 5 in acute ischemic stroke: Variation and linkage with neurofunction, and survival

Abstract

Abstract Objective Autophagy‐related 5 (ATG5) facilitates the pathologic process of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) via multiple ways. This study aimed to identify the association of serum ATG5 with clinical outcomes in AIS patients. Methods Serum ATG5 from 280 AIS patients were detected at admission, Day (D)1, D3, D7, D30, and D90 after admission by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The median (interquartile range) follow‐up was 21.1 (5.9–43.9) months. Another 50 healthy controls (HCs) were also enrolled for serum ATG5 determination. Results ATG5 was elevated (p 2 and mRS ≤2 at D90, respectively. ATG5 at admission, D1, D3, D30, and D90 was elevated in AIS patients with mRS >2 versus those with mRS ≤2 (all p < 0.050). ATG5 at admission, D1, D3, D7, D30, or D90 was elevated in relapsed (vs. non‐relapsed) or died (vs. survived) AIS patients (all p < 0.050). Recurrence‐free survival was shortened in AIS patients with high (≥52.0 ng/mL) ATG5 versus those with low (<52.0 ng/mL) ATG5 at admission, D3, D7, and D30 (all p < 0.050); overall survival was shorter in AIS patients with high (vs. low) ATG5 at D7 and D30 (both p < 0.050). Interpretation Serum ATG5 elevates at first, thereafter gradually declines, whose elevation associates with neurological dysfunction, recurrence, and death risk in AIS patients.