Transforming growth factor beta and soluble endoglin in the healthy senior and in Alzheimer’s disease patients

• Published in: The Journal of nutrition, health & aging health & aging, 2010-11, Vol.14 (9), p.758-761
• Main Authors: Juraskova, B., Andrys, C., Holmerova, I., Solichova, D., Hrnciarikova, D., Vankova, H., Vasatko, T., Krejsek, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Alzheimer Disease - blood; Antigens, CD - blood; Biological and medical sciences; Case-Control Studies; Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases; Endoglin; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Geriatrics/Gerontology; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neurology; Neurosciences; Nursing Homes; Nutrition; Organic mental disorders. Neuropsychology; Primary Care Medicine; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Quality of Life Research; Receptors, Cell Surface - blood; Reference Values; Transforming Growth Factor beta - blood; Transforming Growth Factor Beta and Soluble Endoglin; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
• ISSN: 1279-7707; 1760-4788
• DOI: 10.1007/s12603-010-0325-1

Objectives Senescence of the immune system and of endothelial cells can contribute to age-dependent vascular and neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease. The aim of this study is an assessment of putative relationships of serum levels of transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) and soluble endoglin (sCD105) and neurodegeneration, and of changes of these molecules in the course of ageing. Design The subjects of the study consisted of three groups, the first one was 63 otherwise healthy middle-aged participants, 31 females, 32 males, of average age 35 years. The second group was formed by 58 healthy, self-dependent inhabitants of nursing homes, 44 females and 14 males, average age 83.5 years. The third group comprised of 129 Alzheimer’s disease patients, 86 females, 43 males, of average age 80 years, with MMSE score that ranged from 16 to 20. Measurement Serum levels of TGF beta and soluble endoglin were measured by the ELISA method in samples of peripheral blood using commercial kits. Results The serum level of TGFβ was 34,339 ± 6,420 pg/ml in the healthy younger group, 37,555 ± 11,944 pg/ml in the healthy seniors, and 29,057 ± 11,455 pg/ml in Alzheimer’s disease patients. Compared to healthy seniors, the serum level of TGFβ was significantly decreased in Alzheimer’s disease patients (p