N(epsilon)(gamma-glutamyl)lysine in cerebrospinal fluid marks Alzheimer type and vascular dementia.

Abstract

N(epsilon)(gamma-glutamyl)lysine isodipeptide is released from the breakdown of proteins cross-linked by transglutaminase enzymes. Transglutaminase activation is a marker of apoptosis and elevated isodipeptide concentrations in body fluids might correlate with the intensity of apoptotic cell turnover. The concentration of N(epsilon)(gamma-glutamyl)lysine was measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (n = 14) and vascular type dementia (n = 11) and compared with not demented surgical controls (n = 17). Baseline levels of 26-62 nM/l (mean 37.9 +/- 8.7 SD) free isodipeptide were detected in control patients. CSF isodipeptide levels showed significant elevation in vascular (mean 95.6 +/- 45.1 SD) as well as Alzheimer patients (176.6 +/- 77.1 SD). Isodipeptide concentrations above 120 nM/l were 72% specific and 77% sensitive to Alzheimer's dementia, although the difference between the two dementias was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). Determination of CSF N(epsilon)(gamma-glutamyl)lysine isodipeptide concentration offers a novel method for measurement of neurodegeneration in primary and mixed dementias.

• Authors: Z Nemes, L Fésüs, A Egerházi, A Keszthelyi, I M Degrell
• Journal: Neurobiology of aging (Neurobiol Aging) 2001 May-Jun Vol. 22 Issue 3 Pg. 403-6 ISSN: 0197-4580 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11378245 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Dipeptides
• epsilon-(gamma-glutamyl)-lysine

Topics

• Aged
• Alzheimer Disease (cerebrospinal fluid, diagnosis, metabolism, pathology)
• Apoptosis
• Dementia, Vascular (cerebrospinal fluid, diagnosis, metabolism, pathology)
• Dipeptides (cerebrospinal fluid, metabolism)
• Female
• Humans
• Linear Models
• Male