Mid-life adiposity factors relate to blood-brain barrier integrity in late life.
OBJECTIVE
We explored the relationship between adiposity factors measured during mid-life and blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity measured via the cerebrospinal fluid/serum (CSF/S) albumin ratio in late life. Adiposity factors included body mass index and blood levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and leptin. Design. Retrospective analyses over 24 years within a longitudinal study.


METHODS
Population-based sample. Subjects. Eighty-one women.


METHODS
CSF/S albumin ratio.


RESULTS
The CSF/S albumin ratio measured at age 70-84 years was higher amongst women who were overweight or obese (6.50 +/- 2.79 vs. 5.23 +/- 1.61, age-adjusted P = 0.012), and was inversely correlated with SHBG (age-adjusted r = -0.321, P < 0.005) at age 46-60 years. In stepwise regression models, SHBG predicted the CSF/S albumin ratio (beta = -0.017, R2 = 0.107, P = 0.007). The best model (R2 = 0.187) predicting CSF/S albumin ratio included SHBG, age group (age 46 years versus >46), overweight or obesity, and an age group by SHBG interaction.


CONCLUSIONS
Lower levels of SHBG in mid-life were related to worse BBB integrity in women after 24 years in late life, even considering other adiposity factors. SHBG may be important for understanding sex hormone-mediated mechanisms in brain health or as an independent marker of adipose tissue, the largest endocrine organ.
Gustafson
D R
DR
Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry (Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit), Institute of Physiology and Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden. deb.gustafson@neuro.gu.se
Karlsson
C
C
Skoog
I
I
Rosengren
L
L
Lissner
L
L
Blennow
K
K
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000418:Albumins / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D016014:Linear Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis
D000418:Albumins; D015415:Biomarkers; D020738:Leptin; D012709:Serum Albumin; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin