The expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 in senior patients with diabetes and dementia

This study was conducted to investigate the expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in elderly patients with diabetes and dementia and to analyze the expression mechanism. A total of 30 senior patients with diabetes and dementia (group A), 30 senior patients with dementia but no diabetes (group B), 30 senior patients with diabetes but no dementia (group C), and 30 healthy seniors (group D) were continuously selected. The ELISA method was used to test the level of serum IGF-1, β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) and the phosphorylation of immunohistochemical staining of microtubule associated protein (tau protein). Western blot analysis was utilized to test the level of prion protein (PrP), forkhead transcription factor O (FOXO) subfamily protein, p-PI3K and p-Akt. The levels of IGF-1, Aβ, tau protein positive rate, PrP, FOXO protein, p-PI3K, and p-Akt in group A were significantly higher than that in group B, which was higher than in groups C and D. The results between groups A and B, but not groups C and D, were statistically significant (P<0.05). IGF-1 was highly expressed in senior patients with diabetes and dementia. Thus, IGF-1 can adjust the expression of PrP and FOXO through p-PI3K/Akt pathway and further impact the formation of Aβ and tau protein, leading to dementia.