Figure 1.

Role of central autonomic network and systemic inflammation in mediating renal and cardiac dysfunction after ischemic stroke

(A) Ischemic stroke activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, sympathetic nervous system, and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which regulate hormone and neurotransmitter release, thus resulting in kidney dysfunction. (B) Release of inflammatory factors by injured brain cells and increased oxidative stress can cause blood-brain barrier disruption, stroke-induced gut microbiome dysbiosis can transfer bacterial and endotoxin translocation to the blood, and the spleen can activate the immune cell, thereby leading to systemic inflammation. Systemic inflammation is central in promoting renal and cardiac dysfunction after stroke. (C) Ischemic stroke-induced activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and autonomic activation can alter the release of adrenal catecholamines and neural catecholamines, thus resulting in cardiac dysfunction. This image is adapted from a previous study²² published under the Creative Common attribution license.