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Pharmacopsychiatry 2005; 38(6): 312-315
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-916186
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Enhanced ROS-Generation in Lymphocytes from Alzheimer’s Patients

S. Leutner1 , K. Schindowski1 , L. Frölich2 , 3 , K. Maurer2 , T. Kratzsch2 , A. Eckert1 , 4 , W. E. Müller1
  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Biocenter, J. W. Goethe University of Frankfurt, Marie-Curie-Str. 9, 60439 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
  • 2Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy I, J. W. Goethe University of Frankfurt, Heinrich-Hoffmann-Str. 10, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
  • 3Present Address: Central Institute of Mental Health, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
  • 4Present Address: Neurobiology Research Laboratory, Psychiatric Clinic, University of Basel, Wilhelm Klein-Str. 27, 4025 Basel, Switzerland
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 1.5.2005 Revised: 1.7.2005

Accepted: 8.7.2005

Publication Date:
08 December 2005 (online)

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Introduction: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in neurodegeneration and seem to be involved in the physiology and pathophysiology of several diseases, including normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Enhanced ROS production in aging or AD is not restricted to the brain, but can also been seen in several peripheral tissues. The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether the mechanisms involved in the generation of oxidative stress in normal senescence and Alzheimer’s disease are identical or not. Methods: We analysed intracellular basal levels of ROS in lymphocytes from AD patients and healthy young and aged not-demented subjects as well as ROS levels following stimulation with d-ribose and staurosporine in all three groups. ROS levels were measured by flow cytometry using the intracellular fluorescence dye dihydrorhodamine123 (DHR123). Results: Our study shows that AD lymphocytes have increased basal levels of ROS, low susceptibility to ROS stimulation by 2-deoxy-D-ribose (dRib) and an increased response to staurosporine when compared with age-matched controls. Discussion: The data suggest that the defect(s) responsible for enhanced ROS production in AD may involve different or additional biological pathways than those involved in enhanced ROS generation during aging.

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Walter E. Müller, Ph. D.

Department of Pharmacology

J. W. Goethe-University

Biocenter

Niederursel

Marie-Curie-Str. 9

60439 Frankfurt

Phone: +49 69 798 29373

Fax: +49 69798 29374

Email: pharmacolnat@em.uni-frankfurt.de

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