Cholinergic drug downregulates annexin A3 in platelets of Alzheimer’s Disease patients

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundInvestigation of the expression of annexin A3 (ANXA3) platelets of Alzheimer´s Disease patients pre and post three‐month treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors and compared to healthy controls.MethodThe sample consisted of healthy controls (n=24) and AD drug‐naïve patients (n=34), diagnosed according to DSM‐IV and specificized according to NINCDS‐ADRDA diagnostic criteria. After three months of treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors, platelets were extracted from blood samples of the same AD patients (n=34). The Cambridge cognitive test (CAMCOG) was used as a measure of global cognitive performance, however, scores on both tests were not used to establish the patients' diagnosis. The method of Western Blotting sample analysis was performed through primary antibodies against ANXA3 and secondary antibody, anti‐rabbit IgG‐HRP peroxidase. Student's t‐test or Mann‐Whitney, Pearson's Chi‐square tests were used for numerical variables, Kolmogorov‐Smirnov test were used to analyze a normal distribution and Wilcoxon test to longitudinal variables. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was performed for association between ANXA3 levels and clinical parameters.ResultThere was no difference in ANXA3 expression between AD patients before treatment and healthy controls (p=0.926). However, after three months with anticholinergic treatment the AD patients present a decrease in ANXA3 expressions (p=0.012).ConclusionANXA3 levels on platelets samples of patients diagnosed with AD decrease before an evident improvement of the clinical manifestation of the disease.