Differences in Plasma Lactoferrin Concentrations Between Subjects with Normal Cognitive Function and Mild Cognitive Impairment: An Observational Study.

BACKGROUND

Previous studies suggested that decreased saliva lactoferrin (LF) levels might be used to differentiate subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from subjects with normal cognitive function (NCF). Here, we aimed to assess differences in plasma LF concentrations between subjects with NCF and MCI.

METHODS

In total, 113 NCF subjects and 113 MCI individuals were included in this study. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale, and anthropometric parameters, body composition, physical activity, cardio-metabolic parameters, and LF levels were measured.

RESULTS

MCI subjects had significantly lower LF levels than NCF participants ( < 0.0001). There were also significant differences between the study groups in the smoking history ( = 0.0190), alcohol consumption ( = 0.0036), intake of hypoglycaemic drugs ( = 0.0140), vigorous activity (MET-min/day: = 0.0223, min/day: = 0.0133), and energy expenditure associated with activity ( = 0.0287). Moreover, the MoCA test results significantly correlated with LF levels ( = 0.0026), and there were significant differences between MoCA tertiles and LF levels ( = 0.0189). Also, adjusted logistic regression analysis results showed that LF concentrations ( = 0.0382), alcohol consumption ( = 0.0203), and intake of hypoglycaemic drugs ( = 0.0455) were independent predictors of MCI prevalence.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, MCI subjects are characterised by lower plasma LF concentrations than NCF individuals, but further studies are needed to confirm these findings.