The clinical relationship between different degrees of Alzheimer′s disease and trace elements

Abstract

Objectives To explore the clinical relationship between different degrees of Alzheimer′s disease(AD)and trace elements and to provide information for control and prevention of AD. Methods From January 2015 to December 2015, 125 AD patients in psychiatric hospital of the same city were randomly selected and divided into mild(n=28), moderate(n=42), and severe(n=55)AD group according to dementia degree.40 volunteers were recruited as healthy control group.The fasting contents of serum copper, iron and zinc were measured, and the data were statistically analyzed. Results Compared with healthy control group, the content of serum copper was(16.32±6.54)g/L in control group, (16.90±6.37)g/L in mild group, (20.31±6.74)g/L in moderate group, and(21.29±6.92)g/L in severe AD group, increasing gradually in mild, moderate, and severe AD groups versus control group(F=6.318, P<0.001). Serum copper levels howed significantly differences(P<0.05)in severe AD group versus healthy control group or the mild AD group.The content of serum iron was(9.17±4.71)g/L in control group, (7.82±4.67)g/L in mild AD group, (7.71±4.42)g/L in moderate AD group and(7.28±4.19)g/L in severe AD group, decreasing significantly in mild, moderate and severe AD groups versus healthy control group(F=3.331, P=0.021). The content of serum zinc was(100.67±9.78)g/L in control, (81.78±9.91)g/L in mild, (66.48±9.37)g/L in moderate, and(71.55±8.97)g/L in severe AD group, decreasing significantly in mild, moderate and severe AD group versus the control group(F=123.168, P<0.001). Serum copper, iron and zinc contents showed statistically differences in mild, moderate and severe AD groups versus in healthy control group(P<0.05). There was no interaction between dementia degree and serum iron concentration.In patients with moderate dementia and serum copper concentrations close to 20.31 mmol/L(F=10.098, P=0.000), or in patients with moderate dementia and serum zinc concentrations close to 66.48 mmol/L(F=7.433, P=0.001), behavioral and psychological symptoms were most obvious. Conclusions The serum levels of trace elements in patients with different degrees of AD may change differently.The content of serum copper is increased gradually, while the contents of serum iron and zinc are significantly decreased along with increased AD degree. Key words: Alzheimer disease; Micronutrients