Association of electrophoretically resolved low molecular weight protein fractions with senile dementia in elderly people

The study was designed to investigate the relationship of serum protein fractions with senile dementia in elderly people (>65 years of age; n=36). a mini mental state examination (mmse) was conducted to screen and categorize the subjects,on the basis of mmse score,as normal,mild,moderate and severe dementia subjects. severe dementia subjects were receiving multivitamins and protein supplements since three months. protein fractions,resolved by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis,were quantified and analyzed,statistically,in finding the enhancement/reduction and appearance/disappearance of particular protein fractions for comparison amongst the groups. eight protein fractions (ranging 66-14kda) were detected in all of the groups. significant reductions were observed in 66,54,20 and 14kda protein fractions in mild,moderate and severe dementia subjects as compared to controls. no significant alterations in 40,33 and 25kda protein fractions were observed in mild dementia,however,the fractions declined significantly in moderate and severe dementia subjects as compared to control group. fraction of 23kda showed significant elevations in mild and severe dementia subjects with no variations in moderate dementia group as compared to control group. there was a progressive decline in most of the serum protein fractions with advancing stage of senile dementia but in severe dementia group,protein profile was closer to control group. it might be due to the supplemented diet provided to severe dementia people,indicating that well balanced diet if provided for longer time periods might be helpful either in treating dementia or preventing its manifestation before its onset. copyright 2011 zoological society of pakistan.