Decreased Plasma Antioxidants Level in Patients with Dementia of Alzheimer's Type

Jang, Woo Young; Kim, Min Kyung; Kim, Tae Suk; Lee, Chang Uk

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Previous studies have suggested that oxidative injuries to the neuron may have important role in the pathophysiologic mechanisms of dementia of Alzheimer's type. In the present study, we evaluate the plasma levels of albumin, total bilirubin, and uric acid in the patients with dementia of Alzheimer's type, and compare to those of the healthy controls.
METHODS
The plasma albumin, bilirubin, and uric acid levels were measured by standard methods in 102 patients with dementia of Alzheimer's type (male 42, female 60) and 99 healthy controls (male 47, felmale 52). The Korean version of Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE-K) was used to evaluate the cognitive functions of patients with dementia of Alzheimer's type.
RESULTS
The plasma albumin (F=36.179, p<0.001), bilirubin (F=101.508, p<0.001), uric acid (F=12.688, p<0.001) levels in the patients with dementia of Alzheimer's type were significantly lower than those of the healthy controls. The scores of MMSE-K were positively correlated with the plasma albumin level in the patients with dementia of Alzheimer's type after adjusted for covariates such as age, gender, and body mass index (p=0.017).
CONCLUSION
This study supported that oxidative injuries might be involved in the pathogenesis of dementia of Alzheimer's type, as well as suggested that some antioxidant might be associated with the cognitive functions in dementia of Alzheimer's type.