title: Elevated serum C-reactive protein concentration in Bosnian patients with probable Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: Studies indicate that inflammatory mechanisms may play an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). C-reactive protein (CRP), marker and mediator of inflammation, has been detected in lesions typical for the affected areas of AD brain. There have been conflicting reports on serum CRP concentration in AD. Scarce data exist on association of CRP and measures of adiposity in AD patients. Thus, we investigated serum CRP concentration in fifteen overweight institutionalized patients with probable AD and fifteen age-matched control subjects. Body mass index (BMI) and waist/hip ratio (WHR) were calculated for each subject included in the study. Age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, BMI and WHR did not differ significantly between the two groups. Serum CRP concentration was significantly higher in patients with AD compared to controls (p<0.0001). Although not significant, positive correlations between serum levels of CRP and BMI and WHR were found. Obtained results support the notion that low-grade inflammation is present in patients with AD. Absence of significant association between CRP and measures of total and central adiposity in overweight AD patients needs further investigation and explanation.
authors.affiliation: The Institute of Physiology and Biochemistry, Medical School, University of Sarajevo, Cekalusa 90, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. zarias@lsinter.net
authors.forename: Asija
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zaciragic
authors.forename: Orhan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lepara
authors.forename: Amina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Valjevac
authors.forename: Selma
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arslanagic
authors.forename: Almir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fajkic
authors.forename: Almira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hadzovic-Dzuvo
authors.forename: Nesina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Avdagic
authors.forename: Azra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alajbegovic
authors.forename: Enra
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mehmedika-Suljic
authors.forename: Goran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coric
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D017522:Bosnia and Herzegovina; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein