Impacts of huperzine A on the level of Fas,Apo2. 7 and Bcl-2 on the platelet membrane and the cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer disease / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Huperzine A is a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor extracted initially by China from huperzia serrata,a Chinese herb. Its mechanism in improving choline function and ameliorating cognitive state of patients with dementia is to increase acetylcholine (Ach) concentration in neural synapse through impeding the hydrolysis of acetylcholinesterase.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of huperzine A on the improvement of cognitive function of patients with Alzheimer disease (AD).DESIGN: A randomized controlled study based on patients.SETTING: Second internal department of neurology in a general hospital of military area command of Chinese PLA.PARTICIPANTS: Totally 69 AD patients hospitalized in the Second Department of Neurology,General Hospital of Jinan Military Area Command of Chinese PLA between March 2000 and December 2003 were allocated into huperzine A group( n = 38,male,aged between 68 and84 years old,average age of 76 years old) and control group( n = 31,male,aged between 68 and 80years old,average age of 74 years old) according to the wills of the patients.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Positive expression percentage of Fas,Apo2.7 and Bcl-2 on platelet membrane and the integral of mini-mental state examination(MMSE),Hasegawa' s dementia scale(HDS) and activities of daily living (ADL) of two groups after therapy.RESULTS: The positive expression of Fas,Apo2.7 or Bcl-2 on peripheral platelet membrane after therapy in huperzine A group were (2.23 ± 0.49)%,(2.37 ±0. 36)%,or(2.01 ±0. 32)% respectively,which was significantly lower than(3.12 ± 0. 74)%,(2. 83 ± 0.67)% or (2. 59 ± 0. 54)% of control group ( P ＜ 0.01). The prognostic integral of MMSE,HDS or ADL of huperzine A group was 20.45 ±4. 14,21.39 ±4.89,or 36. 15 ±5.11,which was significantly higher or lower than that of the control group(15.76 ± 3.23,17.32 ±2.09,4.26 ±7.21)(P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION: HuperzineA actually can effectively improve the memory and cognitive function of AD,and effectively improve ADL as well.