Adipocytokines and CD34+ Progenitor Cells in Alzheimer's Disease
2011

Adipocytokines and CD34+ Progenitor Cells in Alzheimer's Disease

Sample size: 78 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Bigalke Boris, Schreitmüller Brigitte, Sopova Kateryna, Paul Angela, Stransky Elke, Gawaz Meinrad, Stellos Konstantinos, Laske Christoph

Primary Institution: Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen

Hypothesis

What is the association between plasma levels of adipocytokines and the number of CD34+ progenitor cells in Alzheimer's disease patients?

Conclusion

Low plasma levels of leptin and increased numbers of CD34+ progenitor cells are associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Supporting Evidence

  • AD patients showed significantly lower plasma levels of leptin compared with healthy controls.
  • Circulating CD34+ cells were significantly upregulated in AD patients.
  • Decreased leptin concentration was significantly associated with the presence of AD.
  • Increased number of CD34+ cells was significantly associated with the presence of AD.

Takeaway

This study found that people with Alzheimer's disease have lower levels of a substance called leptin and more of a type of blood cell that helps with healing.

Methodology

Blood concentrations of adiponectin and leptin were measured using ELISA, and CD34+ progenitor cells were analyzed using flow cytometry.

Potential Biases

Potential biases may arise from the selection of participants and the observational nature of the study.

Limitations

The study was limited to a specific patient population and may not generalize to all Alzheimer's patients.

Participant Demographics

41 patients with early Alzheimer's disease and 37 age- and weight-matched healthy controls.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.021 for leptin, 0.036 for CD34+ cells

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0020286

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