title: Effects of DHA-phospholipids, melatonin and tryptophan supplementation on erythrocyte membrane physico-chemical properties in elderly patients suffering from mild cognitive impairment.
abstract: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out to assess the efficacy of a docosahexenoic acid (DHA)-phospholipids, melatonin and tryptophan supplemented diet in improving the erythrocyte oxidative stress, membrane fluidity and membrane-bound enzyme activities of elderly subjects suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI). These subjects were randomly assigned to the supplement group (11 subjects, 9F and 2M; age 85.3±5.3y) or placebo group (14-matched subjects, 11F and 3M; 86.1±6.5). The duration of the treatment was 12weeks. The placebo group showed no significant changes in erythrocyte membrane composition and function. The erythrocyte membranes of the supplement group showed a significant increase in eicosapentenoic acid, docosapentenoic acid and DHA concentrations and a significant decrease in arachidonic acid, malondialdehyde and lipofuscin levels. These changes in membrane composition resulted in an increase in the unsaturation index, membrane fluidity and acetylcholine esterase activity. Moreover, a significant increase in the ratio between reduced and oxidized glutathione was observed in the erythrocyte of the supplement group. Although this study is a preliminary investigation, we believe these findings to be of great speculative and interpretative interest to better understand the complex and multi-factorial mechanisms behind the possible links between diets, their functional components and possible molecular processes that contribute to increasing the risk of developing MCI and Alzheimer's.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences "L. Sacco", University of Milan, Milan, Italy. roberta.cazzola@unimi.it
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cazzola
authors.forename: Mariangela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rondanelli
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Faliva
authors.forename: Benvenuto
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cestaro
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000379:methods; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008560:Membrane Fluidity / Q000187:drug effects; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005227:Fatty Acids; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D014364:Tryptophan; D008550:Melatonin