Clinical importance of erythrocyte malondialdehyde levels as a marker for cognitive deterioration in patients with dementia of Alzheimer type: a repeated study in 5-year interval

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of aging and dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities. Design and methods: Twenty-six patients with DAT were included in the present study. Group I: 26 patients diagnosed as DAT and studied 5 yr ago. Group II: This group consisted of the same patients as Group I at the present time. Activities of CuZn superoxide dismutase (CuZn SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations of these 26 subjects were measured and mini mental state examination (MMSE), brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS), Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS) were applied. Results: The results revealed that 26 dementia patients had worsened cognitive symptoms and significantly increased CuZn SOD and MDA levels and decreased GSH-Px levels after 5 yr. Significant correlation was found between age and CuZn SOD (r: +0.406, p: 0.034), and between MMSE and MDA (r: −0.411, p: 0.032). Conclusions: We can conclude that MDA, CuZn SOD, and GSH-Px were significantly affected in the patients with Alzheimer disease. The most striking finding of this study is the significant correlation between MMSE and MDA in patients with DAT.