Abstract: Objective To explore the prognostic value of serum interleukin-33(IL-33) level in cerebral infarction with carotid atherosclerotic plaque and the pathological functions of IL-33. Methods ELLSA was applied to detect serum IL-33 levels in the patients with cerebral infarction(n=63)and transient ischemic attack(n=30), as well as normal controls(n=15). Western blotting,qRT-PCR and ELISA were used to detect the expression levels of MMP9 and Cox-2 in PBMC and U937 cells after IL-33 stimulation. Results The serum level of IL-33 was lower in patients with cerebral infarction, compared with those in transient ischemic attack and normal controls(all P<0.01). IL-33 expression levels decreased in turn in cerebral infarction patients with unstable plaque, stable plaque and without plaque(P <0.01). IL-33 expression level was also lower in the serum of cerebral infarction patients concurrent with diabetes and hyperlipidaemia(all P <0.01). Furthermore, MMP9 and Cox-2 expression levels in PBMC and U937 could be down-regulated after treatment with IL-33. Conclusion IL-33 can be regarded as a potential serum marker or treatment target of cerebral infarction and unstable atherosclerotic plaques.

Key words: Atherosclerosis, Surgery, Matrix metalloproteinase 9, Interleukin-33, Serum, Psychological nursing, Kindred-like nursing