Klotho gene and protein expression status in blood of Alzheimer’s patients treated with blood pressure or lipid controlling drugs

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) as the most common neurodegenerative disorder. Klotho is an anti-aging protein with important roles in neurodegenerative disorders. This study was done to evaluate the expression of klotho gene and protein in the plasma of AD patients treated with blood pressure control drugs (inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)) or blood lipids control drug (simvastatin).

Target population was selected from people with AD who visited the neurology clinic of Firouzgar hospital. The tested groups included the control group, Alzheimer's group, Alzheimer's group treated with blood pressure control drugs, and Alzheimer's patients group treated with blood lipid control drug. Expression of klotho gene and protein in the plasma of studied groups was determined using real-time PCR and ELISA techniques and the individual's cognitive disorders were also evaluated using Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) tests.

The results obtained in this study showed that in addition to the significant difference in cognitive indices between the control groups and three groups of Alzheimer's patients, the level of klotho gene and protein expression was also lower in three groups of Alzheimer's patients compared to healthy group. However, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the Alzheimer's group and the two Alzheimer's groups treated with blood pressure or blood lipid control drugs.

Drugs controlling blood pressure or blood lipids in Alzheimer's patients possibly have no significant effect on the level of klotho protein. Obviously, more studies are needed in this field.