Plasma F₂-isoprostane levels are increased in Alzheimer's disease: evidence of increased oxidative stress in vivo

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is immunochemically characterised by brain lesions rich in the 4kDa peptide amyloid-β (Aβ). It has been postulated that oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of AD. F₂-isoprostanes, which are chemically stable peroxidation products of arachidonic acid, were measured in plasma and urine from 20 AD and 20 age-matched controls by GC-MS. Individuals with AD were observed to have significantly higher levels of plasma F₂-isoprostanes when compared to their age-matched controls (p<0.01). Female subjects were shown to have a significantly higher level of plasma F₂-isoprostanes when compared to male subjects (p<0.05). This study provides evidence in support of the hypothesis that oxidative stress, and hence lipid peroxidation may play a role in the neurodegeneration associated with AD.