Relationship between proinflammatory cytokines (Il-1beta, Il-18) and leukocyte telomere length in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease

Abstract Inflammation plays a crucial role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD neurodegeneration and concurrent involvement of the peripheral immune system may promote leukocyte division and telomere shortening. We examined genotypes and plasma levels of two proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1beta and IL-18, and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD. We wanted to determine whether changes in plasma IL-1beta and IL-18 levels, together with LTL shortening, could be diagnostic for disease progression from MCI to AD. Median plasma IL-1beta levels were in the order MCI patients (2.2 pg/mL)   AD patients (85.8 pg/mL), both of which were significantly higher than in the controls (17.6 pg/mL). Analysis of LTL showed a progressive reduction in the order controls > MCI > AD patients (p