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Growth factors decrease in subjects with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD): potential correction with
C Luppi1, M Fioravanti, B Bertolini
1Department of Internal Medicine, School of Geriatrics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
|October 20, 2009
Summary
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) supplementation normalized reduced neuroprotective growth factors in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. This suggests DHEAS may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for dementia by enhancing brain aging defenses.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Immunology
Background:
- Neuroprotection is crucial for preventing cognitive disorders and Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) may delay brain aging by improving neuroprotective growth factors.
- Reduced growth factor secretion is observed in AD patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of DHEAS on neuroprotective growth factors in AD.
- To compare growth factor secretion in healthy individuals and AD patients.
- To explore DHEAS as a potential therapeutic agent for AD.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1).
- Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and natural killer (NK) cells were cultured from healthy subjects and age-matched AD patients.
- Cells were stimulated with growth hormone (GH), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or glucose, and co-incubated with DHEAS.
Main Results:
- AD patients showed significantly reduced baseline levels of IGF-1, VEGF, and TGF-beta1 compared to healthy controls.
- Significant positive correlations were found between IGF-1 and VEGF concentrations in both groups.
- DHEAS treatment increased IGF-1, VEGF, and TGF-beta1 production in AD patients, restoring levels to those seen in healthy individuals.
Conclusions:
- DHEAS enhances the immunoendocrine production of neuroprotective growth factors, which are diminished in AD.
- DHEAS supplementation shows promise as a novel therapeutic approach for dementia.
- Restoring growth factor levels with DHEAS may mitigate cognitive decline associated with AD.
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