Apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphism influences serum APOE... : NeuroReport (original) (raw)

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Apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphism influences serum APOE levels in Alzheimer's disease patients and centenarians

Panza, FrancescoCA; Solfrizzi, Vincenzo; Colacicco, Anna M.; Basile, Anna M.; D'Introno, Alessia; Capurso, Cristiano; Sabba, Maria; Capurso, Sabrina; Capurso, Antonio

Department of Geriatrics, Center for Aging Brain, Memory Unit, University of Bari, Policlinico, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11-70124 Bari, Italy

CACorresponding Author: [email protected]

Received 15 January 2003 accepted 29 January 2003

Abstract

Vascular factors may play a role in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and increased serum apolipoprotein E (APOE) levels in AD could be of interest, as APOE concentration is associated with vascular disease. Aims of this study were to evaluate the influence of APOE genotype on serum APOE levels, and, secondly, to study serum APOE concentrations in relation to age and AD. APOE genotypes, serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio, triglycerides, and serum APOE were performed on 52 healthy centenarians, 49 AD patients, 45 age-matched controls, and 72 young healthy adults. In all study population a significant trend in reduction of serum APOE levels from APOE ε2- to ε4 carriers was observed. The difference in serum APOE levels among age groups significantly decreased in ε4 carriers only, including HDL cholesterol; no significant differences between AD patients and age-matched controls were found. In these highly selected populations, APOE genotype distribution strongly influences serum APOE concentration, not suggesting, at present, a possible role as a biochemical marker for AD, but only as a putative longevity factor.