Increased myeloperoxidase plasma levels in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
BACKGROUND
Increasing evidence supports the role of cardiovascular risk factors in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD).


OBJECTIVE
In the present pilot study, we investigated plasma concentrations of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and its possible association with plasma amyloid-β (Aβ)1-42/1-40 ratio in AD patients and elderly healthy controls.


METHODS
The study sample included 28 AD patients and 27 elderly individuals with a normal cognitive status as a control group. The Mini-Mental Status Examination was used to determine the global cognition. MPO, Aβ1-40, and Aβ1-42 plasma concentrations were measured by enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assays.


RESULTS
AD patients showed significantly higher plasma concentrations of MPO in comparison to healthy elderly controls (AD versus healthy elderly controls (mean ± SD): 132.8 ± 114.8 ng/mL versus 55.0 ± 42.6 ng/mL; p = 0.002). MPO plasma concentrations showed a significant positive correlation in the whole sample with the presence of AD (ρ = 0.428, p < 0.001) and its stage (ρ = 0.331; p = 0.013) as well as with plasma concentrations of Aβ1-42 (ρ = 0.406; p = 0.004) and Aβ1-42/1-40 ratio (ρ = 0.354; p = 0.013). In a binary logistic regression model, plasma MPO concentrations were independently associated with the presence of AD (p = 0.014).


CONCLUSIONS
AD patients showed significantly increased plasma levels of MPO, which could be an important molecular link between atherosclerosis and AD. Further studies should evaluate whether MPO may also be a useful biomarker and potential new treatment target in AD.
Department of Cardiology, Ruhr University Bochum, Marienhospital Herne, Herne, Germany.
Stergios
S
Tzikas
Department of Neurology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
Dennis
D
Schlak
Vascular Inflammation Group, Institute of Cardiovascular Regeneration, Centre of Molecular Medicine, J.W. Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Kateryna
K
Sopova
Vascular Inflammation Group, Institute of Cardiovascular Regeneration, Centre of Molecular Medicine, J.W. Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Aikaterini
A
Gatsiou
Cardiology Clinic, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
Dimitrios
D
Stakos
Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Kimon
K
Stamatelopoulos
Vascular Inflammation Group, Institute of Cardiovascular Regeneration, Centre of Molecular Medicine, J.W. Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany Department of Cardiology, Centre of Internal Medicine III, J.W. Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Konstantinos
K
Stellos
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany Section for Dementia Research, Hertie-Institute of Clinical Brain Research and Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tübingen, Germany.
Christoph
C
Laske
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood*; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000097:blood*; D012372:ROC Curve
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C078592:amyloid beta-protein (1-40); C075222:amyloid beta-protein (1-42); D009195:Peroxidase
Alzheimer's disease; amyloid-β; dementia; myeloperoxidase