Elevated platelet microparticles levels are associated with lipidic oxidation and inflammatory profiles in Alzheimer's disease

Microparticles (MPs) are small membrane fragments that are released during cellular activation and apoptosis. An increase in platelet MPs (PMPs) has been observed in patients with higher platelet activation, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. This study has evaluated the levels of PMPs in patients with AD. It has also evaluated whether the levels of PMPs are associated with abnormalities in the lipidic and oxidative profiles. PMPs were determined in the plasma of 81 elderly subjects and no difference was observed between samples from AD patients and control group. However, comparisons between high and low producers of PMPs were made for lipidic and oxidative profiles biomarkers. Increased PMPs levels were observed in apolipoprotein E allele ɛ4 (APOE4) carriers as compared to non-carriers. Also Lipoprotein(a) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels were increased in high MPs producers compared to low producers. It was concluded that the relationship in AD group among different inflammatory markers and PMPs is a stronger signal of important inflammatory response in this disease. This study describes the first attempt made to characterize the PMPs phenotype and its probable association with abnormalities in the lipidic and oxidative profile in elderly people with and without cognitive impairment.