Abstract 94: Increased P450 Aromatase Level in Post-menopausal Women After an Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background: Ischemic stroke is a sexually dimorphic disease. Sex differences in stroke have been attributed to neuroprotective effects of estrogen, yet most clinical trials of estrogen supplementation have shown detrimental effects. The role of sex hormones in stroke is still a subject of debate. Aromatization of testosterone to estradiol in neural tissue leads to sexual differentiation. Emerging data suggests similar aromatase activity in response to brain injury, as increased aromatase expression is seen in ischemic penumbra in animals. Administration of aromatase inhibitors exacerbates damage in experimental stroke models. However, studies on sex steroids in humans are sorely lacking. Objective of this study was to investigate the contributions of sex steroids to the etiology of sex differences in stroke . Methods: 253 patients admitted to Hartford Hospital for focal neurological deficit were consented for 24hour blood draw from symptom onset. Stroke was confirmed by CTscan/MRI brain. Patients with intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage, age Results: In age matched men u0026 women, no difference in estradiol levels was seen. For testosterone, main effect of sex, F(1,3)=26,p Conclusions: Aromatase levels increase in post-menopausal women after acute ischemic stroke. This may indicate increased aromatase activity as testosterone levels also decreased as compared with controls. Local production of estradiol may occur in the injured female brain mediated by aromatase as seen in prior animal studies. Ongoing work will assess functional outcomes and correlation with hormonal levels.