Moreover, the RBC and WBC counts, hemoglobin, and hematocrit on Day 21 were similar selleckchem Nutlin-3a among these patients. However, by Day 21, the circulating level of EPCs (E1 to E3) was substantially higher in group 1 than in group 2.Table 2Laboratory findings and circulating level of EPCs between IS patients with and without EPO treatmentThe scores of NIHSS, Barthel Index, and modified Ranking Scale score upon presentation (at 48 h after acute IS) did not differ between group 1 and group 2 (Table (Table3).3). Additionally, the mean NIHSS score on Day 90 did not differ between group 1 and group 2. However, the incidence of a NIHSS score ��8 on Day 90 was notably lower in group 1 than in group 2. Furthermore, although the 90-day mortality was similar between the two groups, the incidence of recurrent stroke during a 90-day follow-up was notably lower in group 1 than in group 2.

Besides, the incidence of 90-day major adverse neurological event (that is, MANE) was significantly reduced in group 1 compared with group 2.Table 3Comparisons of neurological status and clinical outcome between IS patients with and without EPO treatmentCorrelation between three individualized neurological assessment scales upon presentation and the circulating level of EPCsThe Spearman rank correlation analysis did not identify significant correlation of circulating level of EPCs (E2) to either modified Ranking Scale score or to Barthel Index at 48 h after acute IS (Figure (Figure2).2). On the other hand, a significant negative correlation was noted between the circulating level of EPCs (E1 and E3) and both modified Ranking Scale and Barthel Index at 48 h after acute IS.

Besides, a significant negative correlation also was noted between the circulating level of EPCs (E1 to E3) and NIHSS at 48 h after acute IS.Figure 2Correlation between circulating level of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and three individualized neurological assessment scales. NIHSS, National Institutes of Health Stroke scale; MRSS, modified Ranking Scale score.Time course of circulating level of EPCsThe circulating level of EPCs (E1 to E3) did not significantly alter at the chosen time points (48 h, on days 7 and 21) after acute IS in group 2 patients (Table (Table4).4). Consistently, the circulating level of EPCs did not significantly change between at 48 h and on Day 7 after acute IS in group 1 patients. However, the circulating level of EPC (E1 to E3) was substantially increased on Day 21 compared with that at 48 h and on Day 7 after acute IS in group 1. These findings AV-951 indicate that the effect of EPO therapy on boosting circulating EPC level was gradually increased after one week and up to a significantly higher level on Day 21 after acute IS.