Elevated Serum C-Reactive Protein Concentration in Bosnian Patients with Probable Alzheimer's Disease

Issue title: Mini-Forum “Mitochondria in Alzheimer Disease”

Guest editors: Xiongwei Zhu

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Zaciragic, Asija^{a; *} | Lepara, Orhan^a | Valjevac, Amina^a | Arslanagic, Selma^a | Fajkic, Almir^a | Hadzovic-Dzuvo, Almira^a | Avdagic, Nesina^a | Alajbegovic, Azra^b | Mehmedika-Suljic, Enra^b | Coric, Goran^c

Affiliations: [a] The Institute of Physiology and Biochemistry, Medical School, University of Sarajevo, Cekalusa 90, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina | [b] Clinic for Neurology, Clinical Centre University of Sarajevo, Bolnicka 25, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina | [c] Cantonal Public Institution, Health-Care Hospice for Persons with Disabilities and other Persons, Nahorevska 195, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina | Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Asija Zaciragic, MD, MSc, Institute of Physiology and Biochemistry, Medical School, University of Sarajevo, Cekalusa 90, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Tel.: +387 33 66 59 49; Fax: +387 33 66 59 49; ext. 135; E-mail: zarias@lsinter.net.

Note: [] Communicated by Francesco Panza

Abstract: Studies indicate that inflammatory mechanisms may play an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). C-reactive protein (CRP), marker and mediator of inflammation, has been detected in lesions typical for the affected areas of AD brain. There have been conflicting reports on serum CRP concentration in AD. Scarce data exist on association of CRP and measures of adiposity in AD patients. Thus, we investigated serum CRP concentration in fifteen overweight institutionalized patients with probable AD and fifteen age-matched control subjects. Body mass index (BMI) and waist/hip ratio (WHR) were calculated for each subject included in the study. Age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, BMI and WHR did not differ significantly between the two groups. Serum CRP concentration was significantly higher in patients with AD compared to controls (p<0.0001). Although not significant, positive correlations between serum levels of CRP and BMI and WHR were found. Obtained results support the notion that low-grade inflammation is present in patients with AD. Absence of significant association between CRP and measures of total and central adiposity in overweight AD patients needs further investigation and explanation.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, C-reactive protein, low-grade inflammation, Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist/Hip Ratio

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-2007-12204

Journal: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 151-156, 2007