CD40 ligand and MCP-1 as predictors of cardiovascular events in diabetic patients with stroke.

Aim: Up-regulation of soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) and of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) has been found in diabetes and in patients with acute cerebral ischemia. We asked whether (i) the two molecules are similarly upregulated among non-lacunar and lacunar diabetic strokes and (ii) sCD40L and/or MCP-1 predict the risk of cardiovascular events in this setting.Methods: Ninety patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus presenting with an acute ischemic stroke (compared with 45 control subjects) were evaluated on admission and up to 36 months (median 24 months) after the event.Results: Diabetic patients with acute stroke had higher plasma CD40L and MCP-1 than controls (p<0.0001), wit…