Background: Lymphedema and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are associated with oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. However, the association between these two diseases and the effects of lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) remains to be elucidated. This study aimed to determine the correlation between these two diseases by comparing the changes in AD serum markers, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress markers before and after LVA.
Study design: Eighteen healthy individuals (control group) and twenty-four unilateral lower-limb lymphedema (study group) who underwent LVA as their primary treatment were enrolled in this study. Patients with a history of LVA, liposuction, or excisional therapy were also excluded. Venous blood samples were collected before and six-month after LVA.
Results: T-tau and Aβ42 × T-tau levels were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (p<0.001, p=0.022, and p<0.001, respectively). After LVA, significantly lower levels of T-tau (p=0.007), Aβ42 × T-Tau (p=0.002), IL-1β (p=0.017), TNF-α (p=0.011), and IL-6 (p=0.002) were observed than before LVA. Significant increases in oxidative stress markers (catalase and superoxide dismutase) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC and T-GSH) indicated a marked reduction in oxidative stress after LVA. The mean follow-up period was 6.3 months.
Conclusion: Patients with lymphedema are at a higher risk of developing AD than healthy individuals, possibly because of the higher oxidative stress and chronic inflammation associated with lymphedema. Significant post-LVA reductions in the AD markers, as well as pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers, indicate the positive role of LVA in reducing or delaying the onset of AD.