Revista de diagnóstico y biomarcadores moleculares

Neutral Lipid Determination in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells: A Useful Tool for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Interventions in Dementia

Abstract

Laura Anchisi, Sandra Dessì, Alessandra Pani and Antonella Mandas

The objective of this review was to focus on recent studies indicating how deregulation of lipid metabolism may be of particular importance for central nervous system (CNS) injuries and neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, since an accumulation of neutral lipids (NLs), mainly cholesterol esters (CEs) in the form of cytoplasmic lipid droplets was previously found by our group in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of Alzheimer (AD) patients and their first degree relatives (AD-FDR), we reviewed current data providing evidence that altered lipid metabolism in brain can also affect cholesterol metabolism in the systemic circulation. Using data from literature we proposed a mechanistic model that helps us to explain why subjects with neurological disorders often accumulate NLs in their PBMCs. If validated by future research, it should provide a rationale for NL-PBMCs determination by Oil Red O (ORO) staining method as a useful tool for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in AD and possibly in other forms of dementia occurring in childhood as well as in elderly.