Study on the correlation of the levels of CCL2 and IL-6 with cognitive function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients

ObjectiveTo detect the levels of chemokine ligand-2(CCL2) and interleukin 6(IL-6) in peripheral blood in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS) patients, and analyze the correlation of the levels of CCL2 and IL-6 with cognitive function.

MethodsThirty-two ALS patients and 20 myopathy patients were divided into the observation group and control group, respectively.The plasma levels of CCL2 and IL-6 in two groups were detected using ELISA, and the cognitive function in two groups were evaluated using Mini-mental State Examination(MMSE) and Wechsler Intelligence Scale(WMS).

ResultsThe differences of the age, gender and education level between two groups were not statistically significant(P>0.05).The results of ELISA showed that the levels of CCL2 and IL-6 in observation group were higher than those in control group(P < 0.01).The MMSE score in observation group was lower than that in control group(P < 0.01).The scores of the memory quotient, long-term memory, short-term and transient memory in observation group were lower than those in control group(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).The level of CCL2 was negatively correlated with the MMSE score and WMS score(P < 0.05).

ConclusionsCompared with the myopathy patients, the plasma levels of CCL2 and IL-6 are upregulated, and the cognitive function decrease in ALS patients.The level of CCL2 in peripheral blood is negatively correlated to the cognitive function of patients.