Background:
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) features the accumulation of β-amyloid in erythrocytes.
The subsequent red cell damage may well affect their oxygen-carrying capabilities. 2,3-
diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) binds to the hemoglobin thereby promoting oxygen release. It is theorized
that 2,3-DPG is reduced in AD and that the resulting hypoxia triggers erythropoietin (EPO) release.
Methods & Objective:
To explore this theory, we analyzed red cell 2,3-DPG content and EPO in AD,
mild cognitive impairment, and the control group, subjective cognitive impairment.
Results:
We studied (i) 2,3-DPG in red cells, and (ii) circulating EPO in AD, and both markers were
unaffected by dementia. Disturbances of these oxygen-regulatory pathways do not appear to participate
in brain hypoxia in AD.