Can Salivary Acetylcholinesterase be a Diagnostic Biomarker for Alzheimer?
Introduction: The loss of brain cholinergic activity is a key phenomenon in the biochemistry of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Due to the specific biosynthesis of Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) of cholinergic neurons, the enzyme has been proposed as a potential biochemical marker of cholinergic act...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2017-01-01
|
| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/9192/21715_F(DK)_PF1(DK_NE)_PFA(DK)_PF2(NE_DK).pdf |
| Summary: | Introduction: The loss of brain cholinergic activity is a key
phenomenon in the biochemistry of Alzheimer's Disease (AD).
Due to the specific biosynthesis of Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) of
cholinergic neurons, the enzyme has been proposed as a potential
biochemical marker of cholinergic activity. AChE is expressed not
only in the Central Nervous System (CNS), Peripheral Nervous
System (PNS) and muscles, but also on the surface of blood cells
and saliva.
Aim: This study aimed to measure salivary AChE activity in AD
and to determine the feasibility of creating a simple laboratory
test for diagnosing such patients.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the
recorded data were obtained from 15 Alzheimer’s patients on
memantine therapy and 15 healthy subjects. Unstimulated
whole saliva samples were collected from the participants and
salivary levels of AChE activity were determined by using the
Ellman colorimetric method. The Mann Whitney U test was used
to compare the average (median) of AChE activity between AD
and controls. In order to adjust for possible confounding factors,
partial correlation coefficient and multivariate linear regressions
were used.
Results: Although the average of AChE activity in the saliva
of people with AD was lower compared to the control group,
we found no statistically significant differences using Mann
Whitney U test (138 in control group vs. 175 in Alzheimer's
patients, p value=0.25). Additionally, no significant differences
were observed in the activity of this enzyme in both sexes or
with increased age or duration of the disease. After adjusting
for age and gender, there was no association between AChE
activity and AD (regression coefficient β=0.08; p value= 0.67).
Conclusion: Saliva AChE activity was not significantly associated with AD. This study might help in introduce a new diagnostic aid for AD or monitor patients with AD. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2249-782X 0973-709X |