Isolated Erythrocyte Membrane Susceptibility to Photo-oxidative Stress in Alzheimer's Disease
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01707719 |
Recruitment Status
:
Recruiting
First Posted
: October 16, 2012
Last Update Posted
: March 15, 2018
|
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High lipid peroxidation and altered antioxidant defenses have been frequently reported in Alzheimer's disease patients.
The purpose of this study is to investigate susceptibility to photo-oxidation of isolated erythrocyte membranes, in patients affected by Alzheimer's disease and age- and sex-matched, non demented subjects.
Condition or disease |
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Alzheimer Disease Oxidative Stress Adrenocortical Hyperfunction |
The study hypothesis is that high lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant defenses characterize the natural history of Alzheimer's disease.
It will be evaluated the release of malondialdehyde (MDA) from ex-vivo photo-oxidized erythrocyte ghosts, through a very easy and convenient lab procedure for the preparation of erythrocyte membrane samples.
Isolated and purified red blood cell membranes will be in vitro exposed to oxidative stress by UV-B radiation. The extent of cell membrane damage will be quantified by the fluorometric determination of MDA.
Induction of oxidative stress through ultraviolet rays, unlike that obtained by chemical oxidizing agents, is fully controllable, since it produces effects only during irradiation. Moreover, using isolated erythrocyte membranes allows for a greater specificity in the evaluation of MDA produced, and reduces the amount of blood required for the assay.
A portion of the blood sample (500 µL) will be sent to the laboratory of Lipinutragen (spin-off of CNR- National Research Center Bologna, Italy) where an erythrocyte membrane lipidomic analysis will be performed for the characterization of membrane phospholipids, in order to determinate the different lipid components (saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated, trans fatty acids), each one characterized by a different oxidative reactivity.
Recently published papers showed a striking association between urinary excretion of cortisol and the increase of some markers of oxidative damage of DNA and RNA (in humans). This finding provides further support to the idea that chronic psychological stress, who is associated to hypercortisolemia, can lead to an acceleration of the aging process.
The brain is a major target of the effects of glucocorticoids (CCS). The harmful consequences of cortisol on the hippocampus (one of the first brain areas affected by Alzheimer's disease) are well known. Some studies showed inverse correlations between cortisol levels and neuropsychological performance in patients with depression, dementia as well as in people treated chronically with CCS.
Alzheimer's disease is associated with states of hypercortisolism. Nonetheless, so far, its correlation with the level of oxidative stress has not been studied. We will investigate the relationship between 24h excretion of urinary cortisol and the level of malondialdehyde, produced by isolated and purified red blood cell membranes, in vitro exposed to oxidative stress by UV-B radiation.
Study Type : | Observational |
Estimated Enrollment : | 50 participants |
Observational Model: | Case-Control |
Time Perspective: | Cross-Sectional |
Official Title: | Isolated Erythrocyte Membrane Susceptibility to Photo-oxidative Stress in Patients Affected by Alzheimer's Disease and Healthy Controls |
Study Start Date : | June 2015 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date : | May 2018 |
Estimated Study Completion Date : | September 2018 |

Group/Cohort |
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Alzheimer's disease |
Non demented subjects |
- Malondialdehyde assay [ Time Frame: At the time of recruitment ]Isolated and purified red blood cell membranes will be in vitro exposed to oxidative stress by UV-B radiation. The extent of cell membrane damage will be quantified by the fluorometric determination of malondialdehyde.
- Relationship between urinary excretion of cortisol and levels of malondialdehyde [ Time Frame: At the time of recruitment ]Hyperactivity of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis has been frequently described in Alzheimer's disease. Recently published work reported an association between high secretion of cortisol and oxidative stress. We will investigate the relationship between 24 h excretion of urinary cortisol and the level of malondialdehyde, produced by isolated and purified red blood cell membranes, in vitro exposed to oxidative stress by UV-B radiation.
Biospecimen Retention: Samples With DNA

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 50 Years and older (Adult, Senior) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | Yes |
Sampling Method: | Probability Sample |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Outpatients of both sexes diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease according to NINCDS-ADRDA criteria.
- Age and sex-matched elderly subjects without dementia.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Recent neoplasia (< 1 year)
- Vitamin B12 deficiency, positive serology for syphilis, thyroid function abnormalities considered to be significant by the care provider.
- Use of vitamin or mineral supplements.
- Diagnosis of malnutrition (based on body mass index and total protein levels)
- Metabolic syndrome or diabetes.
- Hormonal replacement therapy.
- Smoking
- Chronic inflammatory disease (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis) and any other acute illness.

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT01707719
Contact: Raffaele Antonelli Incalzi, M.D. | +39-06-225411 | r.antonelli@unicampus.it | |
Contact: Francesco Maria Serino, M.D. PhD | +39-06-6790695 | info@doctorsinitaly.com |
Italy | |
Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico | Recruiting |
Rome, RM, Italy, 00128 | |
Contact: Raffaele Antonelli Incalzi, M.D. +39-06-225411 r.antonelli@unicampus.it | |
Contact: Francesco Maria Serino, M.D. +39-06-225411 ext 9123 info@doctorsinitaly.com |
Principal Investigator: | Francesco Maria Serino, M.D. PhD | Doctors in Italy | |
Principal Investigator: | Chiara Fanali, PhD | University Campus Bio-Medico | |
Principal Investigator: | Laura Dugo, PhD | University Campus Bio-Medico | |
Principal Investigator: | Simone Grasso, PhD | University Campus Bio-Medico | |
Study Chair: | Ettore Bergamini, M.D. | University of Pisa | |
Principal Investigator: | Francesca Ursini, M.D. | University Campus Bio-Medico | |
Principal Investigator: | Fabrizio Vernieri, M.D. | University Campus Bio-Medico | |
Study Director: | Marina Dachà, BS.Pharm | University Campus Bio-Medico | |
Principal Investigator: | Silvia Bernardini, M.D. | University Campus Bio-Medico | |
Principal Investigator: | Valentina Pasqualetti, PhD | University Campus Bio-Medico |
Publications:
Responsible Party: | Raffaele Antonelli Incalzi, Professor, Campus Bio-Medico University |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT01707719 History of Changes |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
ERASE |
First Posted: | October 16, 2012 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | March 15, 2018 |
Last Verified: | March 2018 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | No |
Keywords provided by Raffaele Antonelli Incalzi, Campus Bio-Medico University:
Alzheimer's disease Oxidative stress HPA axis |
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Adrenal Gland Diseases Alzheimer Disease Disease Susceptibility Adrenocortical Hyperfunction Dementia Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Nervous System Diseases |
Tauopathies Neurodegenerative Diseases Neurocognitive Disorders Mental Disorders Disease Attributes Pathologic Processes Endocrine System Diseases |