Platelet‐activating factor antagonist‐based intensive antiplatelet strategy in acute ischemic stroke: A propensity score matched with network pharmacology analysis

BACKGROUND: Diterpene ginkgolides meglumine injection (DGMI) is a platelet‐activating factor receptor (PAFR) antagonist that can be used to treat acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of an intensive antiplatelet strategy based on PAFR antagonists and explored the underlying mechanisms of PAFR antagonists in AIS treatment. METHODS: This is a retrospective study applying propensity score methods to match AIS patients treated with DGMI to nontreated patients. The primary outcome was functional independence (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 0–2) at 90 days. The safety outcome was bleeding risk. We used McNemar test to compare the efficacy outcome. Subsequently, the network pharmacology analysis was performed. RESULTS: 161 AIS patients treated with DGMI in the study were matched with 161 untreated patients. Compared with untreated patients, DGMI‐treated patients had a significantly higher rate of mRS ranking 0–2 at 90 days (82.0% vs. 75.8%, p < 0.001), without increased risk of bleeding. The gene enrichment analysis showed that the overlap genes of DGMI targeted and AIS‐related enriched in thrombosis and inflammatory‐related signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS: An intensive antiplatelet strategy of DGMI plus traditional antiplatelet agents is effective in treating AIS and may work by mediating post‐stroke inflammation and thrombosis.