The aim of the present study is to evaluate the status of plasma essential trace elements
magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and selenium (Se) concentrations
and their some related antioxidant enzyme activities, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase
(GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities in patients with
Alzheimer's disease (AD). Fifty patients with AD and fifty healthy control subjects
were included in this study. Plasma Cu and Zn concentrations by atomic absorption
spectrometry (AAS), plasma Mg and Fe concentrations by spectrophotometric methods
and plasma Se concentrations by graphite furnace AAS were determined. Erythrocyte
GPx, SOD and CAT activities were measured by spectrophotometric methods. Plasma Mg,
Cu, Zn, Fe and Se levels and erythrocyte GPx, SOD and CAT activities were found to
be significantly lower in patients with AD compared with controls. These results suggest
that alterations in essential trace elements and their related enzymes may play a
role in the etiopathogenesis of AD. Also, there is a defect in the antioxidant defense
system, which may lead to oxidative damage in patients with AD. The changes in antioxidant
enzyme activities may be secondary to the alterations in their cofactor concentrations.
Copyright 2010 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.