Objective
Increased permeability and changes in gut microbiota contributed to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Zonulin is a key modulator that regulates intestinal barrier function. Peripheral platelet alterations have been involved in AD pathology. C‐type lectin‐like receptor 2 (CLEC‐2) is a receptor on the platelet surface for activation. The purpose of this study was to determine zonulin and CLEC‐2 levels in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD, and investigate the relationship between zonulin and CLEC‐2.
Methods
In this study, CLEC‐2 and zonulin levels were measured using ELISA assay in 110 AD patients, 110 MCI patients, and 110 non‐demented control subjects.
Results
Increased CLEC‐2 and zonulin levels were observed in MCI and AD patients. Furthermore, AD patients had higher CLEC‐2 and zonulin levels compared with MCI patients. In addition, CLEC‐2 levels were positively correlated with zonulin levels, after adjusting confounding factors (r = .592, P < .001). Multivariate analysis revealed that increased CLEC‐2 and zonulin levels were significantly associated with reduced Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) score.
Conclusions
C‐type lectin‐like receptor 2 is correlated with zonulin after adjusting confounding covariates. Moreover, increased CLEC‐2 and zonulin are the significant factors for reduced MMSE score in MCI and AD. Further studies are needed.