Correlation of serum methylglyoxal and brain-derived neurotrophic factor with cognitive function in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objective To investigate the association of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)and methylglyoxal(MG)levels with cognitive function in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM). Methods The normal population and elderly patients with T2DM were frequency-matched by age, sex, and educational level. BDNF was detected by ELISA assay, MG by HPLC assay, and cognitive function by sets of repetitive mental state examination(RBANS)in the two groups. Results (1)Compared with control group, serum BDNF level in T2DM group was significantly decreased [(4.97±3.05 vs 11.77±7.92)ng /ml, P<0.01]while serum MG level was elevated [(67.91 vs 43.86)nmol /L, P<0.05]. The increasing of serum MG was related to the decreasing of serum BDNF.(2)Compared with control group, the scores for standardized tests of cognitive scale, visual breadth, immediate memory, delayed memory, and attention areas in T2DM group were significantly decreased(all P<0.05). After the influencing factors were adjusted by multiple regression, the associations of serum BDNF level with cognitive scale standardized score, the delay associated with memory and attention functions were still evident, and serum MG level in T2DM group was still related with the levels of delayed memory, immediate memory, total scale standardization(all P<0.05). (3)Serum BDNF level was negatively correlated with serum MG level(P=0.031). Conclusions Cognitive function of elderly patients with T2DM is related with serum MG and BDNF levels. The increased serum MG as well as the decreasd serum BDNF levels maybe involved in the pathogenesis of impaired cognitive function. (Chin J Endocrinol Metab, 2017, 33: 307-311) Key words: Elderly; Diabetes mellitus, type 2; Cognitive function; Methylglyoxal; Brain-derived neurotrophic factor