Background/aim: The aims of this study were to investigate the significance of oxidative stress parameters in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke and to investigate their effects on stroke severity using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS).
Materials and methods: A total of 92 patients, including 74 with ischemic stroke and 18 with hemorrhagic stroke, and 75 volunteers were enrolled in the study. Total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), paraoxonase, stimulating paraoxonase, arylesterase, and thiol levels were measured in both the patient and volunteer groups. NIHSS and oxidative stress index (OSI) scores were calculated.
Results: TOS and OSI levels were significantly higher in the ischemia and hemorrhagic stroke groups than in the control group (P < 0.05). Arylesterase and thiol levels were significantly lower in the ischemia group than the control group (P < 0.05). No significant correlation was found between NIHSS score and TAS, TOS, OSI, paraoxonase, arylesterase, stimulated paraoxonase, and thiol levels (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: Oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of both ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke in terms of oxidants. We do not think that oxidative stress has any effect in determining stroke severity in either type of stroke.