Apolipoprotein D concentration in Parkinson's disease patients

BackgroundParkinson's disease (PD) is distinguished recently by an increase in inflammation and oxidative stress. Apolipoprotein D (Apo D) is a neuroprotective protein that was discovered to be increased in PD-affected brains. The aim of our study was to measure the ApoD serum level in individuals with PD and to correlate it with the clinical data of those individuals. Thirty individuals suffering from idiopathic PD were subjected to neurological examination, disease intensity by applying the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and measurement of Apo D blood levels. Thirty age and sex matched controls were included for comparison of Apo D concentration.ResultsApolipoprotein D levels were substantially greater in PD individuals than in controls. The correlation between Apo D serum level and PD severity determined by the UPDRS and its subscales was positive.ConclusionPD patients had increased blood level concentration of Apo D, which was associated positively with disease intensity. We suggest that Apo D serum level can be used as a predictor factor for PD severity. More studies are warranted to study how to target the Apo D in PD patients and thus helping to reduce the oxidative stress and inflammatory cascade involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.