Serum Apo Lipoprotein E, Apo Lipoprotein E Gene Polymorphisms, and Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND: A central role for apolipoprotein E (APOE) has been suggested in modulating processes of neurodegeneration. OBJECTIVE: To study the association between serum APOE levels, APOE gene polymorphisms, and Parkinson's disease (PD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-five patients with PD and 30 healthy subjects were enrolled. PD patients were assessed using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Modified Hoehn and Yahr scale, and Schwab-England Activities of Daily Living scale. Serum APOE level and genotyping for APOE polymorphisms were done for PD patients and controls using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: Mean serum APOE level was significantly higher in PD patients compared with healthy controls. APOE ε2/4 genotype was present in a significantly higher proportion of patients compared with controls. APOE ε4 allele was significantly associated with a higher score on the "mentation, behavior, and mood section" of UPDRS compared with ε2 allele. APOE ε2 allele was significantly associated with a shorter disease duration compared with ε3 and ε4 alleles. Mean serum APOE level was significantly higher in patients presenting predominantly by rigidity and bradykinesia compared with those presenting predominantly by tremors. Serum APOE level was positively correlated with mean scores of "mentation, behavior, and mood section" of UPDRS and disease duration. Serum APOE level was a significant predictor for the scores of "mentation, behavior, and mood section" of UPDRS. CONCLUSION: APOE ε2/4 genotype might be a susceptibility variant for PD. There may be a possible role for APOE in modulating the process of neurodegeneration in PD.

Epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs: risk factors for atherosclerosis.

INTRODUCTION: Epilepsy is a chronic disease that affects metabolism either alone or through the antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment. A risk of atherosclerosis has been found in epileptic patients. AIM: Prove the potential role of epilepsy and/or its treatment as atherosclerotic risk factors. SUBJECT AND METHODS: Forty Egyptian patients with primary idiopathic epilepsy were compared to 20 healthy controls. B-mode ultrasound examination of the common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA IMT), measurement of serum lipid profile, fibrinogen and high sensitive C-reactive protein were performed to both groups. RESULTS: Patients had significantly increased right and left CCA IMT (p < 0.05); elevated levels of HDL (p < 0.01) and hs-CRP (p = 0.009) in comparison to control subjects. Positive correlation was found between IMT and hs-CRP (p < 0.05) as well as fibrinogen level (p < 0.05). Carbamazepine level was positively correlated to triglycerides (r = 0.748, p = 0.013) and Valproate level was positively correlated to hs-CRP serum level (r = 0.556, p = 0.032). CONCLUSION: Epilepsy and AED's are potential risk factors for atherosclerosis. Weak relation between epilepsy and/or AED's and lipid profile was found. Hs-CRP may be implicated in atherosclerosis in epileptic patients.