Objective:To investigate the correlations among serum adiponectin

interleukin-6(IL-6) and intimal-medial thickness(IMT) of the carotid artery in patients with cerebral infarction(CI) and to explore their significances in the development of cerebral infarction.Methods:Ninty-six patients with CI were enrolled as CI group and 50 healthy volunteers as control group.Serum adiponectin and serum IL-6 levels were detected respectively using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Carotid artery IMT was measured in both groups and the patients were subdivided into two groups based on the IMT value (greater or smaller than 1.0 mm).Results: There were significant differences in serum adiponectin and IL-6 levels between CI group and control group (P<0.05).The serum adiponectin and IL-6 levels were also significantly different between CI patients with carotid IMT equal to or greater than 1.0 mm and those with IMT smaller than 1.0 mm (P<0.05).In CI group

IMT was positively correlated with serum IL-6 level (R=0.52

P<0.01) but it was negatively correlated with serum adiponectin level (R=-0.848

P<0.01).Conclusion: IMT are increased and the level of serum adiponectin is reduced in patients with CI.The levels of IL-6

serum adiponectin and IMT in patients with CI are obviously correlated.