Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M A Macías-Islas

Publications and source records attributed to M A Macías-Islas.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Altered beta-amyloid precursor protein isoforms in Mexican Alzheimer's Disease patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the beta-amyloid precursor protein (betaAPP) isoforms ratio as a risk factor for Alzheimer's Disease and to assess its relationship with demographic and genetic variables of the disease. METHODS: Blood samples from 26 patients fulfilling NINCDS-ADRDA diagnostic criteria for AD and 46 healthy control subjects were collected for Western blotting for betaAPP. A ratio of betaAPP isoforms, in optical densities, between the upper band (130 Kd) and the lower bands (106-110 Kd) was obtained. Odds ratios were obtained to determine risk factor of this component. RESULTS: betaAPP ratio on AD subjects was lower than that of control subjects: 0.3662 +/- 0.1891 vs. 0.6769 +/- 0.1021 (mean +/- SD, p<0.05). A low betaAPP ratio (<0.6) showed an OR of 4.63 (95% CI 1.45-15.33). When onset of disease was taken into account, a betaAPP ratio on EOAD subjects of 0.3965 +/- 0.1916 was found vs. 0.3445 +/- 0.1965 on LOAD subjects (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Altered betaAPP isoforms is a high risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, although it has no influence on the time of onset of the disease.

Aged↗

[Multiple sclerosis in Mexico: a multicentre study].

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is considered to be a low prevalence disease in Mexico; its characteristics have been described in isolated studies in small populations concentrated in a single region of the country and using heterogeneous methodological tools. AIMS. In this study, our aim was define the clinical profile and some socio demographic aspects of MS in Mexico using validated homogeneous criteria and tools. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight hospitals representing the five most densely populated regions of the country, the north, centre and south of Mexico, took part in the study. Data were obtained through a survey created, validated and published in Spanish (k interobserver 0.73 and k intraobserver 0.76), which consisted of 142 questions arranged in 10 sections and which was applied by 12 neurologists. The procedure was verified with 50 randomly selected surveys. A total of 337 surveys were applied, which were analysed by descriptive statistics using the EPI INFO, version 6.04b, software application. All the patients presented MS that had been clinically defined with the help of paraclinical studies according to Schumaher and Poser's criteria. RESULTS: A sample of 337 patients was studied; 99.1% were mestizos, with an average age of 37 9 years, 69.7% were females and 30.3% males. 95% had access to the Social Security system and 96% had been born in Mexico to Mexican parents. No cases were found among native Mexicans. The clinical profile of the disease did not differ to that reported in other countries; the pattern observed corresponded to that found in northern latitudes. CONCLUSION: This is the first multicentre study carried out in Mexico with a population that is highly representative of the whole country and with a homogeneous methodology.

Adult↗

[Functional disorders of FOF1-ATPase in submitochondrial particles obtained from platelets of patients with a diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's disease].

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies indicate that decreased energy generation by mitochondria is a feature that is common across neurodegenerative diseases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In order to obtain direct evidence that mitochondrial functioning is altered, we measured the hydrolytic activity of F0F1-ATPase and its capacity to generate a stable proton gradient in submitochondrial particles in 29 patients diagnosed with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD). Submitochondrial particles were obtained from platelets of patients with a diagnosis of probable AD and from clinically healthy controls. RESULTS: Data revealed that the hydrolytic activity of F0F1-ATPase increases significantly in patients with probable AD (41.7+/-4.3 nmol PO4 min-1[mg protein]-1, n=29) as compared to the control subjects (29.1+/-1.9 nmol PO4 min-1 [mg protein]-1, n=29). It is important to note that, in the male population with probable AD, we found that hydrolytic activity of F0F1-ATPase increased as cerebral deterioration progressed. We also detected a lower pH gradient in the submitochondrial particles of patients with probable AD (0.28+/-0.08 pH units, n=25) as compared to the controls (0.5+/-0.1 pH units, n=20). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these data point to an alteration in the functioning of the enzyme.

Alzheimer Disease↗