Serum Cytokine 6, 10 and α-Tumour Necrosis Factor Levels in Alzheimer's Disease Subjects Treated with Donepezil Plus Vitamin B12

• Published in: Neurology India Vol. 73; no. 3; pp. 488 - 494
• Main Authors: Yeram, Neelam, Dalvi, Shubhangi M., Kale, Vinayak P., Patil, Vinayak W., Mankeshwar, Ranjit, Jagiasi, Kamlesh, Abichandani, Leela G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer - Medknow 01.05.2025; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd
• Edition: 2
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alzheimer Disease - blood; Alzheimer Disease - drug therapy; Alzheimer's disease; Cholinesterase Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Cytokines; Cytokines - blood; Donepezil - therapeutic use; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Interleukin-6 - blood; Male; Middle Aged; Nootropic Agents - therapeutic use; Original Article; TNF inhibitors; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - blood; Tumor necrosis factor-TNF; Vitamin B 12 - administration & dosage; Vitamin B 12 - therapeutic use; donepezil; inflammation; Alzheimer's disease; Vitamin B; Alzheimer’s disease
• ISSN: 0028-3886; 1998-4022
• DOI: 10.4103/neuroindia.NI_1615_20

Background: Neuroinflammation is a key feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the serum levels of Cytokine 6 (Cyto-6), Cytokine 10 (Cyto-10), and alpha-tumor necrosis factor (α-TNF) in Alzheimer's disease patients and observe the effects of donepezil plus vitamin B12 (VB12) treatment on these cytokines. Methods and Materials: Seventy-one AD cases and 70 controls with age more than 60 years. Cyto-6, Cyto-10, and α-TNF were measured using the Chemiluminescence Immulite 1000 system, Siemens. Alzheimer's disease subjects were treated with donepezil (5 mg/day) plus VB12 (1.5 mg/day) supplement for 6 months, and serum cytokine levels were reinvestigated. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software. Result: Cyto-6, Cyto-10, and α-TNF values were raised in Alzheimer's disease as compared to controls (P < 0.001) [AD (Cyto-6: 10.27 ± 2.76 pg/ml; Cyto-10: 6.2 ± 1.48 pg/ml; α-TNF: 26.49 ± 6.85 pg/ml) and Control (Cyto-6: 3.29 ± 0.77 pg/ml; Cyto-10: 8.213 ± 0.787 pg/ml; α-TNF: 5.18 ± 1.65 pg/ml)]. After 6 months, a significant decrease (P < 0.01) was observed in Cyto-6 (7.95 ± 2.21 pg/ml), Cyto-10 (4.77 ± 1.12 pg/ml), and α-TNF (22.67 ± 7.00 pg/ml) levels in AD. Conclusion: We conclude that serum Cyto-6, Cyto-10, and α-TNF play an inflammatory role in Alzheimer's disease progression. Combined therapy of donepezil and VB12 supplement showed a beneficial effect in reducing inflammation. This study might benefit further research along with molecular follow-up studies for development of novel therapeutic strategies in Alzheimer's disease.