Are Delta-Aminolevulinate Dehydratase Inhibition and Metal Concentrations Additional Factors for the Age-Related Cognitive Decline?

Marília Baierle, Mariele F. Charão, Gabriela Göethel, Anelise Barth, Rafael Fracasso, Guilherme Bubols, Elisa Sauer, Sarah C. Campanharo, Rafael C. C. Rocha, Tatiana D. Saint'Pierre, Suelen Bordignon, Murilo Zibetti, Clarissa M. Trentini, Daiana S. Ávila, Adriana Gioda and Solange C. Garcia
Additional contact information
Marília Baierle: Laboratory of Toxicology (LATOX), Department of Analysis, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS 90610-000, Brazil
Mariele F. Charão: Laboratory of Toxicology (LATOX), Department of Analysis, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS 90610-000, Brazil
Gabriela Göethel: Laboratory of Toxicology (LATOX), Department of Analysis, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS 90610-000, Brazil
Anelise Barth: Laboratory of Toxicology (LATOX), Department of Analysis, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS 90610-000, Brazil
Rafael Fracasso: Laboratory of Toxicology (LATOX), Department of Analysis, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS 90610-000, Brazil
Guilherme Bubols: Laboratory of Toxicology (LATOX), Department of Analysis, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS 90610-000, Brazil
Elisa Sauer: Laboratory of Toxicology (LATOX), Department of Analysis, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS 90610-000, Brazil
Sarah C. Campanharo: Laboratory of Toxicology (LATOX), Department of Analysis, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS 90610-000, Brazil
Rafael C. C. Rocha: Department of Chemistry, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22451-900, Brazil
Tatiana D. Saint'Pierre: Department of Chemistry, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22451-900, Brazil
Suelen Bordignon: Institute of Psychology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 90035-003, Brazil
Murilo Zibetti: Institute of Psychology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 90035-003, Brazil
Clarissa M. Trentini: Institute of Psychology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 90035-003, Brazil
Daiana S. Ávila: Post-graduate Program of Biochemistry, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, RS 97500-970, Brazil
Adriana Gioda: Department of Chemistry, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22451-900, Brazil
Solange C. Garcia: Laboratory of Toxicology (LATOX), Department of Analysis, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS 90610-000, Brazil

IJERPH, 2014, vol. 11, issue 10, 1-17

Abstract: Aging is often accompanied by cognitive impairments and influenced by oxidative status and chemical imbalances. Thus, this study was conducted to examine whether age-related cognitive deficit is associated with oxidative damage, especially with inhibition of the enzyme delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALA-D), as well as to verify the influence of some metals in the enzyme activity and cognitive performance. Blood ALA-D activity, essential (Fe, Zn, Cu, Se) and non-essential metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, As, Cr, Ni, V) were measured in 50 elderly and 20 healthy young subjects. Cognitive function was assessed by tests from Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD) battery and other. The elderly group presented decreased ALA-D activity compared to the young group. The index of ALA-D reactivation was similar to both study groups, but negatively associated with metals. The mean levels of essential metals were within the reference values, while the most toxic metals were above them in both groups. Cognitive function impairments were observed in elderly group and were associated with decreased ALA-D activity, with lower levels of Se and higher levels of toxic metals (Hg and V). Results suggest that the reduced ALA-D activity in elderly can be an additional factor involved in cognitive decline, since its inhibition throughout life could lead to accumulation of the neurotoxic compound ALA. Toxic metals were found to contribute to cognitive decline and also to influence ALA-D reactivation.

Keywords: ALA-D; cognitive decline; cognitive assessment; toxic metals; essential metals (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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