Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p> <bold>Objectives</bold> Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. The most common type of stroke is ischemic stroke, and the majority of these cases are caused by large-vessel atherosclerosis. The search for early stroke diagnostic biomarkers is ongoing. In this study, we investigated whether salusin-α and salusin-β, which are associated with atherosclerosis, could serve as biomarkers for predicting large-vessel atherosclerosis during the acute phase of stroke. <bold>Methods</bold> Fifty-one patients who presented to the emergency department with stroke symptoms, were diagnosed with large-vessel atherosclerosis, and arrived within the first 24 h of symptom onset were included. Additionally, 30 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were included as controls. In the stroke group, salusin-α and salusin-β levels were measured using ELISA within 24 h of onset and again at a 3-month follow-up. These values were compared over time and with those of the control group. <bold>Results</bold> Salusin-α levels measured in the first 24 h were significantly lower in the stroke group than in the control group (p < 0.05). No significant difference in salusin-β levels was observed. Over the 3-month period, salusin-β levels significantly decreased, whereas salusin-α levels remained unchanged. At follow-up, salusin-α levels remained significantly lower than those in the control group. <bold>Conclusions</bold> As salusin-α levels were consistently low in patients with stroke and did not change over time, this peptide may serve as a biomarker indicating susceptibility to stroke due to large-vessel atherosclerosis. </p>