P3‐204: MDA and GSH levels in newly diagnosed Alzheimer's disease patients: A population‐based study

Free radicals and oxidative stress appear to both directly or indirectly play a major role in cellular processes implicated in neurodegeneration of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, oxidative damage to a range of biomolecules is of particular interest to AD researchers. In this study the level of oxidative stress in a group of AD patients from a population-based sample was measured. 52 AD subjects recruited from a population-based study as well as 27 age and gender matched control patients were examined. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation was chosen to reflect the level of pathology. In parallel, the level of the tripeptide glutathione (GSH), which scavenges free radical species, was measured as an indicator of the antioxidant protection. GSH levels were significantly reduced in AD compared to AD (0.68 vs. 1.39 mM, P < 0.001). Consistent with this, MDA levels were elevated in AD patients compared to controls (3.28 vs 1.43 mM, P <0.001). The level of MDA did not correlate with age (CC = (-) 0.275, P > 0.05). The newly diagnosed patients were younger than the rest of the group. The time from the diagnosis, however, did correlate with age (CC = 0.56, P < 0.05). The most pronounced differences in the oxidative stress parameters were found in the newly diagnosed AD group. The level of MDA was higher in both the newly diagnosed AD patients and in those with longer lasting neurodegenerative process in comparison with controls. Both sets of data were statistically significant. GSH was significantly lower in newly diagnosed AD patients when compared to controls. Overall, these data support the idea that an altered oxidative profile is both an early and prominent feature of AD. Further studies into the disease specific affected parameters of increased lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant capacity may direct future therapeutic options for targeting the disease at the earliest time after diagnosis.