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Effects of DHA-phospholipids, melatonin and tryptophan supplementation on erythrocyte membrane physico-chemical properties in elderly patients suffering from mild cognitive impairment.

Experimental gerontology
December 1, 2012
Roberta Cazzola et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine whether a diet supplemented with DHA-phospholipids, melatonin, and tryptophan could improve erythrocyte oxidative stress, membrane fluidity, and enzyme activities in elderly subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Results Summary

The supplement group showed significant improvements in erythrocyte membrane composition, including increased beneficial fatty acids, reduced oxidative stress markers, enhanced membrane fluidity, and improved acetylcholine esterase activity. The ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione also increased significantly in the supplement group.

Population

Elderly subjects (mean age ~85 years) with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

12 weeks

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (11)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
docosahexenoic acid (DHA)-phospholipids, melatonin and tryptophan supplemented diet
increase
eicosapentenoic acid concentrations
elderly subjects suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
-
showed a significant increase
#1
docosahexenoic acid (DHA)-phospholipids, melatonin and tryptophan supplemented diet
increase
docosapentenoic acid concentrations
elderly subjects suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
-
showed a significant increase
#2
docosahexenoic acid (DHA)-phospholipids, melatonin and tryptophan supplemented diet
increase
DHA concentrations
elderly subjects suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
-
showed a significant increase
#3
docosahexenoic acid (DHA)-phospholipids, melatonin and tryptophan supplemented diet
decrease
arachidonic acid levels
elderly subjects suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
-
showed a significant decrease
#4
docosahexenoic acid (DHA)-phospholipids, melatonin and tryptophan supplemented diet
decrease
malondialdehyde levels
elderly subjects suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
-
showed a significant decrease
#5
docosahexenoic acid (DHA)-phospholipids, melatonin and tryptophan supplemented diet
decrease
lipofuscin levels
elderly subjects suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
-
showed a significant decrease
#6
docosahexenoic acid (DHA)-phospholipids, melatonin and tryptophan supplemented diet
increase
unsaturation index
elderly subjects suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
-
resulted in an increase
#7
docosahexenoic acid (DHA)-phospholipids, melatonin and tryptophan supplemented diet
increase
membrane fluidity
elderly subjects suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
-
resulted in an increase
#8
docosahexenoic acid (DHA)-phospholipids, melatonin and tryptophan supplemented diet
increase
acetylcholine esterase activity
elderly subjects suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
-
resulted in an increase
#9
docosahexenoic acid (DHA)-phospholipids, melatonin and tryptophan supplemented diet
increase
ratio between reduced and oxidized glutathione
elderly subjects suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
-
a significant increase was observed
#10
placebo
no change
erythrocyte membrane composition and function
elderly subjects suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
-
showed no significant changes
#11
Abstract

A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out to assess the efficacy of a docosahexenoic acid (DHA)-phospholipids, melatonin and tryptophan supplemented diet in improving the erythrocyte oxidative stress, membrane fluidity and membrane-bound enzyme activities of elderly subjects suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI). These subjects were randomly assigned to the supplement group (11 subjects, 9F and 2M; age 85.3±5.3y) or placebo group (14-matched subjects, 11F and 3M; 86.1±6.5). The duration of the treatment was 12weeks. The placebo group showed no significant changes in erythrocyte membrane composition and function. The erythrocyte membranes of the supplement group showed a significant increase in eicosapentenoic acid, docosapentenoic acid and DHA concentrations and a significant decrease in arachidonic acid, malondialdehyde and lipofuscin levels. These changes in membrane composition resulted in an increase in the unsaturation index, membrane fluidity and acetylcholine esterase activity. Moreover, a significant increase in the ratio between reduced and oxidized glutathione was observed in the erythrocyte of the supplement group. Although this study is a preliminary investigation, we believe these findings to be of great speculative and interpretative interest to better understand the complex and multi-factorial mechanisms behind the possible links between diets, their functional components and possible molecular processes that contribute to increasing the risk of developing MCI and Alzheimer's.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AgedAged, 80 and overAntioxidantsBlood Specimen CollectionChemistry, PhysicalCognitive DysfunctionDietary SupplementsDocosahexaenoic AcidsDouble-Blind MethodErythrocyte MembraneErythrocytesFatty AcidsFemaleHumansMaleMelatoninMembrane FluidityNeuropsychological TestsOxidative StressTryptophan
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality78/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations20
Citations/Year1.5
Relative Citation Ratio0.76
NIH Percentile40%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.25
Weight Score1.40
Normalized Score0.70
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