Admission metabolic parameters are associated with early systemic inflammation in acute ischemic stroke patients: an exploratory retrospective observational study

Metabolic alterations are increasingly recognized as key modulators of inflammatory responses after ischemic stroke, yet the relationships between specific metabolic parameters, early systemic immune activation, and recovery remain poorly defined. In this exploratory retrospective cohort study, we investigated the associations between metabolic parameters measured at hospital admission, including body mass index (BMI), lipid profile, and glycemic status, and circulating inflammatory mediators, peripheral immune cell counts, brain injury biomarkers, and functional outcome in 102 patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. BMI and lipid-related parameters showed associations with selected inflammatory biomarkers and circulating leukocyte populations. In contrast, associations between metabolic parameters and circulating biomarkers of brain injury were limited, and no statistically significant associations with functional outcome were identified. Collectively, these exploratory findings suggest that admission metabolic status, particularly lipid-related parameters, is associated with variability in early systemic inflammatory responses after ischemic stroke. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these associations and clarify their potential relevance to brain injury and functional recovery after stroke.