The Association Between Thromboxane B₂ And Vascular Dementia

Objective Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA) is widely prescribed for patients with a diagnosis of vascular dementia(VD). It has been suggested that daily intake of aspirin is associated with a reduction of cognitive decline, both in normal and in demented subjects, but the mechanism is unclear. We have therefore studied thromboxane (TX) A2 biosynthesis, as reflected by the level of TXB2, in vascular dementia (VD) patients to ascertain if the thromboxane B2 ( TXB2 ) is associated with vascular dementia ( VD ) . Methods The radioimmunoassay was used to detect TXB2 in 34 VD patients, 30 patients who was not demented after stroke, and 27 healthy age-matched controls. Results Mean value of TXB2was 109. 21 + 48. 65pg/ml for VD patients; 86.64±33. 45pg/ml for the patients who was not demented after stroke (P<0. 05); and 70.03 ± 12. 95pg/ml for the healthy controls. The level of TXB2 was higher in VD than that in the patients who was not demented after stroke (P<0. 05); and both of that were higher than that in the healthy controls (P<0.05). Mean value of TXB2was 112. 77±47. 03pg/ml for the patients who did not use acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) after stroke versus 87. 63+37. 42pg/ml for the patients who used ASA., and the former was significantly higher than the latter (P<0.05); furthermore, both of that were higher than that in healthy controls (P<0. 05). Conclusions TXB2 was increased in vascular dementia patients than that in patients who was not demented after stroke . TXB2 is associated with vascular dementia. VD patients may have an important aspirin-insensitive source ofthromboxane biosynthesis. The mechanism is unclear.Tian Van (Neurology) Directed by Tan Lan...