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Introduction

Cerebral infarction is a common brain disease. Due to its danger and the rapid increase in the number of patients (1), this disease has become one of the diseases with high mortality in the world. Clinically, cerebral infarction is caused by cerebral tissue necrosis and low oxidation due to insufficient blood supply caused by cerebral vascular stenosis and thrombosis of patients. With the further deterioration of the condition of patients, cognitive impairment caused by cerebral infarction will gradually worsen, eventually leading to dementia, affecting their quality of daily life (2–4). Therefore, the choice of treatment plan for cerebral infarction is an important medical research direction.

According to long-term clinical trials, acute cytokines such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) are closely related to cerebral infarction, especially acute cerebral infarction (5,6). Hs-CRP, as an acute inflammatory response protein, has the function of destroying vascular endothelium, and can activate platelet activity, promote platelet aggregation and increase the probability of thrombosis (7), thus increasing the probability of cerebral thrombosis. The mechanism of action of TNF-α in cerebral infarction is that free radicals produced by TNF-α may damage vascular endothelial cells, cause vasoconstriction, aggravate coagulation state, promote thrombosis, and eventually lead to ischemia, hypoxia and even necrosis (8). SICAM-1 is an intercellular adhesion molecule, which can mediate leukocyte adhesion and aggregation, and can be used as a corresponding indicator in various diseases caused by atherosclerosis (9,10). Therefore, hs-CRP, sICAM-1 and TNF-α can generally be used as detection factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases including cerebral infarction.

Aspirin and clopidogrel are two common drugs that are often used clinically. Aspirin can reduce the incidence rate of thrombosis by inhibiting cyclooxygenase and inhibiting platelet release and aggregation in vivo. Clopidogrel, as an antiplatelet drug, can reduce the expression of CD40L, an inflammatory mediator, in activated platelets induced by adenosine diphosphate, and may have anti-inflammatory effect (11,12). Because of their thrombotic and anti-inflammatory effects, they are often used in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases including cerebral infarction. This investigation was designed to explore the clinical efficacy of the combination of the two drugs in the treatment of cerebral infarction and their effects on serum-related cytokines hs-CRP, sICAM-1 and TNF-α.

Patients and methods

General information

Ninety patients with acute cerebral infarction treated in Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang (Weifang, China) were analyzed. According to the different treatment plans of these patients, those treated with the combination of the two drugs were divided into group B (n=50), and those treated with aspirin alone were group A (n=40). Comparing the general clinical baseline data between group B and A, the difference was not significant (P>0.05) (Table I).

Table I. General clinical baseline data of group A and B n (%)(mean ± SD).

Table I.

General clinical baseline data of group A and B n (%)(mean ± SD).

Variables	Group A (n=40)	Group B (n=50)	t-test/χ2	P-value
Sex			0.639	0.424
Male	31 (77.5)	35 (70.00)
Female	9 (22.5)	15 (30.00)
Age (years)			0.058	0.810
Below 60	8 (20.00)	9 (18.00)
60 and above	32 (80.00)	41 (82.00)
Weight (kg)	65.54±11.03	63.95±10.57	0.696	0.487
Smoking			0.002	0.962
Yes	21 (52.50)	26 (52.00)
No	19 (47.50)	24 (48.00)
Drinking			0.143	0.706
Yes	20 (50.00)	27 (54.00)
No	20 (50.00)	23 (46.00)
Hyperlipidemia			0.009	0.924
Yes	18 (45.00)	22 (44.00)
No	22 (55.00)	28 (56.00)
Hypertension			2.431	0.119
Yes	25 (62.50)	23 (46.00)
No	15 (37.50)	27 (54.00)
Diabetes			0.035	0.850
Yes	20 (50.00)	26 (52.00)
No	20 (50.00)	24 (48.00)

[i] SD, standard deviation.

Inclusion criteria: All patients included in this study were diagnosed and treated in the above hospital, and were confirmed as cerebral infarction with complete clinical data.

Exclusion criteria: i) Patients suffering from serious endocrine diseases; ii) patients whose onset time and admission time exceed 6 h; iii) patients with gastrointestinal hemorrhage and gastrointestinal inflammation; iv) patients suffering from chronic liver diseases, adrenal gland diseases and serious heart diseases for a long time and (v) patients with long-term taboo symptoms related to surgical treatment of this disease.

The family members of the patients were informed by telephone, and an informed consent was signed voluntarily. The study was examined and approved by the Ethics Committee of Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang.

Methods

Group A: Patients were administered aspirin enteric-coated tablets (SFDA approval no: H20065051; Shenyang Shuangding Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) 100 mg/time, once a day for 3 weeks.

Group B: Patients were administered aspirin enteric-coated tablets combined with clopidogrel. Aspirin 100 mg/time was taken orally first, followed by clopidogrel sulfate tablets (SFDA approval no: H20000542; Shenzhen Salubris Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) 75 mg/time, once a day for 3 weeks.

Detection methods

A total of 4 ml venous blood was taken at two time points, before the first treatment and three weeks after treatment, in the fasting state of the patient. Serum was obtained by low speed centrifugation for 4–5 min at 1,800 × g at 4°C. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the expression level of hs-CRP (SFDA Approval no: 2400848; Getein Biotechnology Co., Ltd.) BIOBASE2000 automatic enzyme immunoassay analyzer (Jinan Xinbeixi Biotechnology Co., Ltd.) was used; radioimmunoassay was used to analyze the expression levels of sICAM-1 (item no: im-E10088; Shanghai Kanglang Biotechnology Co., Ltd.) and TNF-α (item no: JLC7047-96T; Wuhan MSK Biotechnology Co., Ltd.); DFM-96 radioimmunoassay γ counter (Hefei Zhongchen Light Industrial Machinery Co., Ltd.) was used.

Observation indicators and evaluation standard

The NIHSS scores of patients in group A and B before and after treatment were compared (NIH Stroke Scale, NIHSS) (13). Τhe levels of hs-CRP, TNF-α and sICAM-1 in blood samples taken from patients before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. Τhe adverse reactions after treatment, such as gastrointestinal hemorrhage, malignant vomiting, allergy and arrhythmia, were compared between the two groups.

The total effective rates of patients in group A and B were compared: Εvaluation criteria (14): i) Basic rehabilitation: dysfunction score reduced by 91–100% and degree of disability was 0; ii) markedly effective: dysfunction score reduced by 46–90%, while the degree of disability was between 1 and 3; iii) effective: dysfunction score reduced by 18–45%; iv) no change: dysfunction score decreased or increased <18%; v) deterioration: dysfunction score increased >18%; vi) death. Total effective rate = basic rehabilitation + markedly effective + effective.

Statistical analysis

SPSS 19.0 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used for statistical analysis of comprehensive data, χ2 test was used for counting data, and (mean ± SD) for measurement data. Paired t-test was used for comparison of expression level before and after treatment in the same group. The expression levels of groups A and B at the same time point were compared by independent-samples t-test. P-value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results

Comparison of general clinical baseline data of the two groups

Basic conditions of group A and B, such as age, sex, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and personal habits (smoking and drinking), were compared, and had significant differences (P>0.05) (Table I).

Comparison of the expression levels of serum-related cytokines before and after treatment between groups A and B

i) Before treatment, the hs-CRP level of patients in group A was 62.89±12.05 mg/l, while that of patients in group B was 63.27±13.20 mg/l. There was no significant difference in hs-CRP level between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05). The post-treatment levels of the two groups were 40.39±10.37 mg/l and 22.59±7.65 mg/l, respectively, with significant difference (P<0.001). Comparing the levels of groups A and B after treatment, it was concluded that those of group B were significantly lower than those of group A after treatment (P<0.001) (Fig. 1).

Figure 1. Comparison of the serum hs-CRP expression level of the two groups before and after treatment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the hs-CRP expression level. Expression level of hs-CRP in the two groups after treatment was significantly lower than that before treatment, with statistical significance (P<0.0001). The expression level of hs-CRP in group B after treatment was significantly lower than that in group A, with statistical significance (P<0.0001). *Compared with group A (P<0.05); #compared with that after treatment (P<0.05). hs-CRP, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.

ii) Before treatment, the TNF-α level of patients in group A was 18.14±3.13 μg/l, while that of patients in group B was 18.01±3.09 μg/l. There was no significant difference in hs-CRP level between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05). The post-treatment levels of the two groups were 11.19±2.01 μg/l and 6.13±1.79 μg/l respectively (P<0.001). Comparing the levels of groups A and B after treatment, it was concluded that group B was significantly lower than group A (P<0.001) (Fig. 2).

Figure 2. Comparison of the serum TNF-α expression level of the two groups before and after treatment. Radioimmunoassay was used to analyze TNF-α expression level. TNF-α expression level after treatment was significantly lower than that before treatment, with statistical significance (P<0.0001). The expression level of TNF-α in group B after treatment was significantly lower than that in group A, with statistical significance (P<0.0001). *Compared with group A (P<0.05); #compared with that after treatment (P<0.05). TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-α.

iii) Before treatment, the level of serum-related cytokine sICAM-1 in group A was 444.74±20.78 ng/ml, while that in group B was 448.31±22.01 ng/ml. There was no significant difference in hs-CRP levels between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05). The post-treatment levels of the two groups were 272.77±12.48 ng/ml and 230.59±20.03 ng/ml respectively, with significant difference (P<0.001). Comparing the levels of groups A and B after treatment, it was concluded that those of group B were significantly lower than those of group A (P<0.001) (Fig. 3).

Figure 3. Comparison of the serum sICAM-1 expression level of the two groups before and after treatment. Radioimmunoassay was used to analyze the sICAM-1 expression level. Expression level of sICAM-1 after treatment was significantly lower than that before treatment, with statistical significance (P<0.0001); expression level of sICAM-1 in group B after treatment was significantly lower than that in group A, with statistical significance (P<0.0001). *Compared with group A (P<0.05); #compared with that after treatment (P<0.05). sICAM-1, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1.

Comparison of NIHSS scores of patients in the two groups

Before treatment, the NIHSS score of patients in group A was 16.54±2.33, while that in group B was 16.72±2.29. There was no significant difference between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05). The post-treatment scores of the two groups were 7.18±0.72 and 3.43±0.67, respectively, with significant difference (P<0.001). NIHSS after treatment in group B was significantly lower than that in group A (P<0.001) (Fig. 4).

Figure 4. Comparison of the NIHSS scores of patients in the two groups. The NIHSS scores of patients in the two groups after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment (P<0.0001), the NIHSS scores of group B after treatment were significantly lower than those of group A, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.0001). *Compared with group A (P<0.05); #compared with that after treatment (P<0.05).

Comparison of the clinical efficacy of patients in the two groups

Clinical efficacy of patients in the two groups were compared. In group A, there were 6 cases of basic rehabilitation, 15 cases of markedly effective, 10 cases of effective, 9 cases without change, and no deterioration or death; its total effective rate was 77.5%. In group B, there were 9 cases of basic rehabilitation, 20 cases of markedly effective, 19 cases effective, 2 cases without change, and no deterioration or death; its total effective rate was 96%. The total effective rate of group B was significantly higher than that of group A, and the difference was significant (P<0.05) (Table II).

Table II. Comparison of total effective rate of clinical efficacy of patients between the two groups [n(%)].

Table II.

Comparison of total effective rate of clinical efficacy of patients between the two groups [n(%)].

Variables	Group A (n=40)	Group B (n=50)	χ2	P-value
Basic rehabilitation	6 (15.00)	9 (18.00)	–	–
Markedly effective	15 (37.50)	20 (40.00)	–	–
Effective	10 (25.00)	19 (38.00)	–	–
No change	9 (22.50)	2 (4.00)	–	–
Deterioration	0 (0.00)	0 (0.00)	–	–
Death	0 (0.00)	0 (0.00)	–	–
Total effective rate (%)	77.50	96.00	7.089	0.0078

[i] χ², Chi-square test.

Comparison of adverse reactions of patients between the two groups

We observed the adverse reactions of gastrointestinal hemorrhage, malignant vomiting, allergy and arrhythmia. In group A, there were 3 cases of gastrointestinal hemorrhage, 6 cases of malignant vomiting, 3 cases of allergy and 7 cases of arrhythmia, totaling 19 cases (47.5%). In group B, there was 1 case of gastrointestinal hemorrhage, 1 case of malignant vomiting, 2 cases of allergy and 2 cases of arrhythmia, totaling 6 cases (12%). The incidence of adverse reactions in group B was significantly lower than that in group A, and the difference was significant (P<0.05) (Table III).

Table III. Comparison of adverse reactions of patients between the two groups [n(%)].

Table III.

Comparison of adverse reactions of patients between the two groups [n(%)].

Variables	Group A (n=40)	Group B (n=50)	χ2	P-value
Gastrointestinal hemorrhage	3 (7.50)	1 (2.00)	–	–
Malignant vomiting	6 (15.00)	1 (2.00)	–	–
Allergy	3 (7.50)	2 (4.00)	–	–
Arrhythmia	7 (17.50)	2 (4.00)	–	–
Total	19 (47.50)	6 (12.00)	13.960	0.0002

[i] χ², Chi-square test.

Discussion

How to treat cerebral infarction more effectively is an important research issue. Thrombolysis (15) and antiplatelet therapy (16) are both effective methods to treat cerebral infarction. Its treatment with aspirin and clopidogrel is one of the commonly used methods. As a predictive diagnostic index for cerebral infarction (17), the expression level of relevant cytokines is upregulated in the brain after stroke, and the brain plug area is enlarged by infiltrating ischemic areas (18). The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression level and efficacy of common serum factors such as hs-CR, TNF-α (19), and sICAM-1 (20) under the influence of aspirin and clopidogrel in cerebral infarction.

In this study, we compared the differences in the expression levels of hs-CRP, sICAM-1 and TNF-α between groups A (aspirin only) and B (both drugs). After data analysis, we found that the expression levels of hs-CRP, sICAM-1 and TNF-α of patients in the two groups decreased compared with those before treatment. The decline in group B was significantly higher than that of group A, and there were significant differences in statistics. Therefore, we believed that combined therapy could reduce the expression levels of hs-CRP, sICAM-1 and TNF-α more rapidy. In the study of Yu et al (21) clinical treatment of myocardial infarction, the levels of hs-CRP, TNF-α and other related cytokines after aspirin combined with clopidogrel were significantly lower than aspirin alone. In a study on the treatment of acute coronary syndrome with aspirin and clopidogrel, the expression level of hs-CRP and TNF-α decreased more obviously after aspirin and clopidogrel were treated together than aspirin alone (22). However, the study of Yin (23) on unstable angina pectoris, comparing the two experimental groups, a group with aspirin alone and a group with aspirin combined with clopidogrel, it was found that the level of serum factor sICAM-1 in the latter group decreased more significantly after one week of treatment compared with the former. These results were similar to the results in the present study, and proved that aspirin combined with clopidogrel was more effective in reducing the expression levels of hs-CRP, sICAM-1 and TNF-α.

Our study also compared the total effective rate of clinical efficacy and adverse reactions of the two groups. It was discovered that the total effective rate of combined treatment of the two drugs was significantly higher than that of aspirin alone, with fewer adverse reactions. Therefore, we concluded that the efficacy and safety of aspirin combined with clopidogrel were better than aspirin alone. In the study of Wong et al (24) on stroke patients, clopidogrel combined with aspirin was more effective in reducing microembolization signals than aspirin alone. As to prevention of stroke or transient cerebral ischemia, Zhang et al (25) reported that compared with monotherapy, short-term aspirin combined with clopidogrel had a higher secondary prevention effect on prevention of stroke or transient cerebral ischemia without increasing the risk of hemorrhagic stroke and major hemorrhagic events, which was similar to our results.

In summary, the experimental results proved that the combined use of aspirin and clopidogrel had a stronger inhibitory effect on the expression levels of serum-related cytokines hs-CRP, TNF-α and sICAM-1 than aspirin alone, and reduced the expression levels of these factors, and achieved better results in clinical practice.

Acknowledgements

Not applicable.

Funding

No funding was received.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the present study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Authors' contributions

ML wrote the manuscript, interpreted and analyzed the data. JW and XW designed the study and performed the experiments. GL was responsible for the analysis and discussion of the data. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang (Weifang, China). Patients who participated in this research had complete clinical data. Signed informed consents were obtained from the patients and/or the guardians.

Patient consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

References