Plasma energy substrates at two stages of Alzheimer's disease in humans. (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Verri, Manuela; Aquilani, Roberto; Ricevuti, Giovanni; Rondanelli, Mariangela; Ghitti, Michele; Bongiorno, Andria Innocenza; Venturini, Letizia; Buonocore, Daniela; Boschi, Federica; Dossena, Maurizia
• Is Part Of: International journal of immunopathology and pharmacology. Volume 32:Mar./Dec.(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease -- ketone bodies -- plasma lactate -- pyruvate; Immunopathology -- Periodicals; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1177/2058738418817707
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0394-6320

Abstract

In Alzheimer's disease (AD), the presence of amyloid-β peptide may impair cell energy formation by altering both anaerobic and aerobic metabolism. This study aimed to estimate possible alterations in circulating energy substrates. In 54 community-dwelling AD subjects, fasting peripheral venous blood samples were drawn in the morning to determine the energy substrates lactate, pyruvate and ketone bodies (KBs, β-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate). Plasma lactate levels in the entire AD population were significantly lower than in healthy controls ( P < 0.01), whereas pyruvate concentrations were similar. This is particularly evident in AD subjects with diagnosis time >5 years. Moreover, both plasma lactate and pyruvate were lower in subjects with AD >5 years than in subjects with AD ⩽5 years ( P < 0.001 for lactate; P = 0.04 for pyruvate). KB concentrations were normal in both subgroups. Lactate was inversely related to diagnosis time (r = −0.42; P = 0.002). In conclusion, subjects with AD, particularly those with a longer diagnosis time, show considerable reductions in circulating lactate and pyruvate as an expression of altered muscular metabolic pathways that generate energy.