替普瑞酮诱导阿尔茨海默病大鼠海马热休克蛋白70表达及抗凋亡机制

目的研究替普瑞酮(Geranylgeranylacetone,GGA)诱导阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer's disease,AD)模型大鼠海马热休克蛋白70(heat shock protein 70,HSP70)的表达及其抗细胞凋亡机制。方法 36只SD大鼠随机分为对照组、模型组与GGA组(n=12)。双侧海马注射β淀粉样蛋白1-42(β-amyloid1-42,Aβ1-42)建立AD大鼠模型。GGA组大鼠予GGA800mg/(kg·d)灌胃,持续21d。Y迷宫测试大鼠行为学变化;HSP70-TUNEL免疫荧光双标染色观察大鼠海马细胞凋亡与HSP70表达变化、分布情况;Western-blot测定大鼠海马HSP70及凋亡相关因子caspase-9、cytochrome C、FADD、caspase-8蛋白表达。结果术后模型组大鼠获得记忆所需电击次数(14d:21.1±5.6;21d:27.4±5.2),对照组(14d:15.9±3.8;21d:14.7±3.9),GGA组(14d:17.3±2.7;21d:20.8±4.6)。术后21d海马HSP70表达:模型组(0.22±0.04),对照组(0.43±0.07),GGA组:(0.71±0.15);凋亡细胞:模型组(38.4±6.8),对照组(9.7±3.8);GGA组(16.7±4.3);caspase-9表达:模型组(0.69±0.09),对照组(0.14±0.04),GGA组(0.23±0.06)。FADD表达GGA组与模型组无统计学差异。结论 GGA诱导AD大鼠海马HSP70表达上调,可能通过抑制线粒体凋亡途径的激活及部分死亡受体凋亡途径的激活而发挥抗凋亡作用,减轻神经元损伤,从而改善AD大鼠的学习记忆能力。     

替普瑞酮诱导AD模型大鼠海马HSP70表达及其神经保护作用的研究

目的 研究替普瑞酮（Geranylgeranylacetone，GGA）诱导阿尔茨海默病（Alzheimer disease，AD）模型大鼠海马热休克蛋白70（heat shock protein70，HSP70）表达及其对AD大鼠的神经保护作用。方法 90只SD大鼠随机分为替普瑞酮组、模型组与生理盐水组，双侧海马注射Aβ1-42。建立阿尔茨海默病大鼠模型，替普瑞酮组给予替普瑞酮800mg·kg^-1·d^-1灌胃，余两组给予等量生理盐水灌胃；术后1d、7d、14d、21d并于Y迷宫行为学测试后处死大鼠；采用western-blot方法检测各组大鼠海马HSP70表达的变化，HE染色观察海马神经元形态学改变，TUNEL法检测海马神经元凋亡。结果术后14d、21d模型组大鼠学习记忆能力较生理盐水组明显减退（P〈0．05），替普瑞酮组较模型组明显改善（P〈0．05）；术后7d、14d、21d模型组大鼠海马HSP70表达较生理盐水组逐渐减少（P〈0．05），替普瑞酮组HSP70表达明显增加（P〈0．05）；术后21d模型组大鼠海马CA1区神经元结构紊乱，细胞减少，凋亡细胞较生理盐水组明显增加（P〈0．01），替普瑞酮组凋亡细胞较模型组显著减少（P〈0．05），细胞形态学改变减轻。结论替普瑞酮能够诱导AD模型大鼠海马HSP70表达，减少大鼠海马神经元凋亡而产生神经保护作用，改善大鼠的学习记忆能力。     

姜黄素对Aβ诱导的AD大鼠海马CRMP-2表达的影响

目的探讨姜黄素对Aβ诱导的老年痴呆大鼠认知功能和海马CRMP-2的影响。方法将SD大鼠随机分为空白对照组、AD对照组和姜黄素给药组。Aβ1-40微量注射至大鼠右侧海马制作AD大鼠模型。Morris水迷宫试验测定大鼠学习记忆能力。RT-PCR检测海马内CRMP-2mRNA的表达,Western blotting方法检测海马内CRMP-2和p-CRMP-2蛋白表达,免疫组织化学方法检测海马内轴突蛋白表达。结果姜黄素干预后AD大鼠空间学习记忆能力明显改善(P<0.05)。与空白对照组相比,AD对照组大鼠海马区CRMP-2表达显著降低(P<0.05),轴突蛋白NFP-200阳性纤维排列紊乱,不规则,纤维数目显著减少(P<0.05);而在姜黄素组大鼠海马区可见CRMP-2表达升高,p-CRMP-2表达降低,而轴突蛋白表达明显增加(P<0.01)。结论姜黄素能够改善Aβ1-40诱导的AD模型大鼠空间学习记忆障碍,其机制可能与姜黄素提高CRMP-2的表达并抑制CRMP-2的磷酸化从而促进轴突再生有关。     

拟阿尔茨海默病模型大鼠海马CA1区HSP27及IL-1表达

目的 探讨Aβ(β-淀粉样肽)诱AD大鼠模型中海马HSP27和IL-1的表达, 研究信号转导及炎性机制在AD中的作用.方法 采用立体定向下双侧海马注射Aβ1-42建立AD动物模型,通过免疫组化染色及Western blot等方法, 观测大鼠学习记忆能力、海马组织结构的病理改变及HSP27和IL-1 的表达情况.结果 HE染色显示,模型组大鼠海马神经元变性、缺失,胶质细胞浸润;免疫组化结果显示模型组大鼠海马CA1区HSP27和IL-1 免疫阳性细胞表达多见(P＜0.05);Western blot显示模型组海马组织HSP条带增宽表达强度高于对照组(P＜0.05).结论 HSP27在AD的炎症反应机制中可能具有重要作用.     

促红细胞生成素对β淀粉样蛋白诱导大鼠海马CA_1区锥体细胞线粒体细胞色素C释放的影响

目的探讨促红细胞生成素(EPO)对β淀粉样蛋白诱导大鼠海马CA1区神经元凋亡的影响及可能机制。方法采用大鼠海马内注射β淀粉样蛋白(Aβ)制作阿尔茨海默病(AD)模型。将SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、生理盐水组及EPO处理组。Aβ大鼠海马内注射造模,然后在生理盐水组大鼠行脑室立体定向注射生理盐水,EPO处理组则行脑室立体定向注射重组人促红细胞生成素(rHu-EPO)。观察术后24小时海马CA1区神经元细胞色素C(Cyt C)的变化,以及术后7天海马CA1区细胞凋亡变化。结果 EPO处理组大鼠海马CA1区神经元Cyt C的表达明显高于生理盐水组(P<0.01),EPO处理组大鼠海马CA1区凋亡细胞较生理盐水组减少(P<0.01)。结论 EPO可以通过抑制Aβ1-40诱导海马CA1区锥体细胞线粒体Cyt C释放来抑制神经元凋亡。     

GAD在颞叶癫痫大鼠海马内源性促痫机制中的作用

目的:探讨GAD65、GAD67在颞叶癫痫发生后海马内源性促痫机制中的作用。方法:112只雄性SD大鼠随机分为实验组(n=70)与对照组(n=42),实验组大鼠选用海人酸腹腔注射法建立颞叶癫痫模型,对照组大鼠腹腔注射无菌生理盐水。选取腹腔注射后3小时、6小时、12小时、24小时、48小时、7天、30天为研究的时间点,颞叶海马的CA1区、CA3区、齿状回为研究部位。腹腔给药后每天观察大鼠的行为学变化,大鼠处死前进行EEG描记。用原位杂交方法检测不同时间点海马不同区域GAD65、GAD67mRNA的表达,免疫组织化学法检测GAD65、GAD67蛋白的表达。结果:实验组大鼠海马GAD65 mRNA及其蛋白的表达随时间呈逐渐增高趋势,致痫后48小时～30天,GAD65 mRNA及其蛋白表达较对照组增高(48小时P<0.05;7～30天P<0.01);海人酸致痫后6小时、24小时实验组大鼠海马的GAD67mRNA及其蛋白表达较对照组增高(分别为P<0.01、P<0.05)。结论:颞叶癫痫急性期海马GAD67表达的增高及慢性期海马GAD65表达的增高是癫痫发生后机体的内源性抗痫机制。     

冈田酸和β-淀粉样蛋白对大鼠CaMKⅡ与Tau蛋白磷酸化的影响

目的探讨冈田酸和β-淀粉样蛋白对大鼠CaMKⅡ与Tau蛋白磷酸化的影响。方法用立体定向方法将β-淀粉样蛋白(β-amyloid protein,Aβ)(1mg/ml、5μl/只)注入SD大鼠海马CA1区,1w后注射冈田酸(OA)0.4nmol/L、2μl/只,隔天注射共注射7次,以建立类AD动物模型。采用水迷宫、Western blotting和Real-time等方法对类AD模型进行行为学和分子生物学分析,检测类AD大鼠海马组织CaMKⅡ、磷酸化Tau蛋白的表达水平以及大鼠学习记忆力的变化。结果与对照组相比Aβ1-42海马注射组、OA注射组及共同注射Aβ1-42和OA组均能引起大鼠学习记忆力降低,CaMKⅡmRNA及蛋白表达增加(P0.01),Tau蛋白Ser404磷酸化增加(P0.05)。Aβ1-42与OA具有协同增加CaMKⅡmRNA及蛋白表达及Tau蛋白Ser404磷酸化的作用。结论 Aβ1-42和OA可降低大鼠学习记忆能力,增加CaMKⅡ表达和Tau蛋白Ser404磷酸化。     

姜黄素对于老年痴呆症模型大鼠外周血单个核细胞中组织蛋白酶B表达的影响

目的研究姜黄素对β淀粉样蛋白(Aβ1-42)诱导的老年痴呆(AD)大鼠外周血单个核细胞溶酶体中组织蛋白酶(Cat B)的表达及对Aβ的降解能力的作用;同时探讨对于大鼠认知功能的影响。方法将Aβ1-42微量注射至SD大鼠右侧海马制作AD模型大鼠,假手术组海马注入等量PBS。于建模后随机分为AD模型组及姜黄素干预组,姜黄素干预组给予300 mg/(kg·d)二甲基亚砜(DMSO)溶解的姜黄素连续腹腔注射7 d,AD模型组以及假手术组腹腔注射等量DMSO;术后第9天心脏穿刺采集大鼠外周血,并采用Ficoll密度梯度离心法分离外周血单个核细胞,用定量PCR方法及酶活性分析法检测其中Cat B表达;采用定位航行和空间探索水迷宫试验分别检测大鼠的学习和记忆能力。结果与假手术组及AD模型组相比较,经姜黄素处理过的干预组大鼠外周血单个核细胞中Cat B表达及活性均上调;且经姜黄素干预后AD模型大鼠空间学习记忆能力明显改善(P=0. 021)。结论姜黄素可以上调AD模型大鼠外周血单个核细胞Cat B表达及活性;姜黄素有改善Aβ1-42诱导的AD模型大鼠空间学习记忆障碍的作用。     

褪黑素减少对Aβ诱导海马细胞凋亡相关基因的表达影响

目的 :探讨松果体功能减退致褪黑素 (MT)分泌减少对 β-淀粉样蛋白 (Aβ)诱导海马细胞凋亡相关基因表达的影响。方法 :将 SD大鼠随机分两组 ,实验组摘除松果体 ,对照组给假手术 ,两组均在术后 40 d给 Aβ1～ 40 右侧海马注射 10 μg(10 μg/ μl) ,7d后标本用 SABC法检测凋亡相关基因 Bax,Bcl- 2、Fos蛋白表达。结果 :实验组 Aβ周围海马细胞凋亡相关基因 Bax(14.2 8± 4.18)和 Fos表达 (2 8.2 9± 6 .91)均比对照组 Bax(7.6 9± 2 .81)和 Fos表达 (0 .87± 0 .15 )增强 (P<0 .0 1) ;而 Bcl- 2在两组中表达 (7.48± 3.2 6 ,7.19± 3.37)无明显差别 (P>0 .0 5 )。结论 :褪黑素减少可加强 Aβ诱导海马细胞凋亡倾向     

亚低温对大鼠弥漫性脑损伤后海马CA3区HSP70表达及细胞凋亡的影响

目的 观察亚低温对大鼠弥漫性脑损伤(DBI)后海马CA3区HSP70在蛋白质和mRNA水平的表达及细胞凋亡上的影响,探讨亚低温脑保护分子生物机制。方法 将大鼠随机分成空白对照、假手术、单纯DBI和DBI后亚低温治疗四组,按Marmarou氏方法制作大鼠DBI模型,采用免疫组化法、逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)及流式细胞仪(FCM),分别观察各组动物脑海马CA3区HSP70在蛋白质和mRNA水平的表达及细胞凋亡率。结果 与对照组相比,大鼠DBI后海马CA3区HSP70表达水平及细胞凋亡率均升高(P<0.05);亚低温治疗后,大鼠脑海马CA3区HSP70表达水平较单纯DBI组显著增高(P<0.01),而细胞凋亡率则明显降低(P<0.05)。结论 亚低温对创伤性脑损伤的脑保护机制可能与促进HSP70表达,并减少神经细胞凋亡有关。     

胰高血糖素样肽1(GLP-1)改善阿尔茨海默病大鼠模型的认知功能及其机制研究

目的 探讨胰高血糖素样肽1(GLP-1)改善阿尔茨海默病大鼠认知功能的机制。方法 以正常成年雄性SD大鼠为研究对象,将其随机分为正常对照组、AD模型组、AD模型+GLP-1干预组和AD模型+PPARγ抑制剂+GLP-1干预组; 其中AD模型组以侧脑室注射STZ(3 mg/kg,10 μL)制造AD模型,AD模型+GLP-1干预组在AD造模基础上每日腹腔注射利拉鲁肽(200 μg/kg,10 μL),连续给药28 d,AD模型+PPARγ抑制剂+GLP-1干预组在AD造模基础上侧脑室注射PPARγ抑制剂GW9662(2.5 nmol/g,10 μL),随后腹腔注射利拉鲁肽(200 μg/kg,10 μL)并连续给药28 d; 观察4组大鼠在Morris水迷宫中的学习和记忆能力变化; ELISA方法观察各组大鼠海马Aβ42的水平; Western blot观察各组大鼠海马PPARγ蛋白表达水平。结果 与AD模型组比较,GLP-1干预后的AD大鼠在Morris水迷宫中学习和记忆能力明显改善,海马Aβ42的水平显著降低,海马PPARγ蛋白表达水平显著升高(P<0.05); 与AD模型+GLP-1干预组比较,AD模型+PPARγ抑制剂+GLP-1干预组大鼠海马PPARγ蛋白表达水平显著降低,在Morris水迷宫中学习和记忆能力明显下降,海马Aβ42的水平显著增高(P<0.05)。结论 GLP-1可能通过激活PPARγ抑制Aβ 蓄积,从而起到改善阿尔茨海默病的认知功能作用。     

灯盏花素通过Wnt/β-catenin通路对阿尔茨海默病大鼠模型Aβ跨血脑屏障的转运清除机制研究

目的 探讨灯盏花素（Breviscapine,BRE）对阿尔茨海默病（Alzheimer disease,AD）大鼠模型淀粉样蛋白β（Amyloid β,Aβ）跨血脑屏障（blood brain barrier,BBB）的转运清除的影响及其可能作用机制。 方法 随机选择15只Wistar大鼠作为空白组,剩余大鼠于侧脑室内注射淀粉样蛋白β25-35（Aβ25-35）以诱导AD大鼠模型;后随机分为模型组、BRE低（50 mg·kg-1·d-1）、高（100 mg·kg-1·d-1）剂量组及多奈哌齐组（1 mg·kg-1·d-1）,每组各15只,连续灌服给药21 d;Morris水迷宫行为测试检测大鼠空间学习记忆能力;海马组织行尼氏、刚果红染色;酶联免疫吸附试验（Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA）法检测海马组织中Aβ42、肿瘤坏死因子-α（Tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α）、白细胞介素1β（Interleukin 1β,IL-1β）、丙二醛（Malondialdehyde,MDA）、超氧化物歧化酶（Superoxide dismutase,SOD）水平;Western blot法检测海马Wnt3a/β-连环蛋白（β-catenin）通路因子及Aβ相关转运体蛋白表达水平。 结果 与空白组比较,模型组大鼠逃避潜伏期延长,穿台次数减少,海马CA3区存活神经元数减少,Aβ斑块状严重沉积,Aβ42,TNF-α,IL-1β,MDA水平升高,SOD水平、Wnt3a,β-catenin、低密度脂蛋白受体相关蛋白1（Low density lipoprotein receptor-associated protein 1,LRP-1）及P糖蛋白（P glycoprotein,P-gp）相对表达水平降低,磷酸化糖原合酶激酶3β（Phosphorylated GSK3 β,p-GSK3β）、轴抑制蛋白2（Axis inhibition protein 2,Axin2）相对表达水平升高（P<0.05）;与模型组比较,BRE低、高剂量组及多奈哌齐组大鼠逃避潜伏期缩短,穿台次数增加,海马CA3区存活神经元数增加,Aβ斑块状沉积减轻,Aβ42,TNF-α,IL-1β,MDA水平降低,SOD水平、Wnt3a,β-catenin,LRP-1及P-gp相对表达水平升高,p-GSK3β,Axin2相对表达水平降低（P<0.05）;低、高剂量BRE及多奈哌齐作用效果逐渐增强（P<0.05）。 结论 BRE可促进AD大鼠模型Aβ跨BBB转运清除,其作用机制可能与激活Wnt/β-catenin通路有关。     

Humanin对Aβ_(1-42)所致阿尔茨海默病大鼠空间记忆的影响及其作用机制

目的 探讨Humanin(HN)对Aβ_(1-42)所致阿尔茨海默病(AD)大鼠空间记忆的影响及其作用机制.方法 36只Wistar大鼠按照随机数字表法分为生理盐水组(海马注射生理盐水)、AD模型组(海马注射Aβ_(1-42))和HN治疗组(海马注射Aβ_(1-42)制成AD模型后在同一部位注入2 μL HN),每组各12只.对各组大鼠进行Morris水迷宫空间记忆能力测试.免疫组织化学方法检测各组大鼠微管相关蛋白2(MAP2)的表达.利用Western blot方法检测各组大鼠synapsin 1蛋白水平.结果 与生理盐水组相比,AD模型组Morris水迷宫测试的潜伏期明显延长,MAP2表达明显降低,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),HN组则无统计学意义(P>0.05).Synapsin 1蛋白在HN治疗组中表达明显高于生理盐水组和AD模型组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),而生理盐水组和AD模型组之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 HN可以显著改善由Aβ_(1-42)所致AD大鼠的空间记忆能力,推测与HN提高MAP2与synapsin 1蛋白表达有关.     

Gene transfer of HSP72 protects cornu ammonis 1 region of the hippocampus neurons from global ischemia: influence of Bcl-2

We investigated whether HSV gene transfer of HSP72 in vivo and in vitro: (1) protected cornu ammonis 1 region of the hippocampus neurons from global cerebral ischemia; and (2) affected Bcl-2 expression. HSV vectors expressing HSP72 and beta-galactosidase (reporter) or beta-galactosidase only (control vector) were injected into cornu ammonis 1 region of the hippocampus 15 hours before induction of global cerebral ischemia (n = 10) and sham-operated rats (n = 8). HSP72 vector-treated rats displayed significantly more surviving transfected neurons (X-gal-positive, 31 +/- 8) compared with control vector-treated rats (10 +/- 4) after global cerebral ischemia. Sham-operated rats displayed similar numbers of X-gal-positive neurons (HSP72 vector 18 +/- 8 vs control vector 20 +/- 7). The percentage of beta-galactosidase and Bcl-2 coexpressing neurons in HSP72-treated rats after global cerebral ischemia (84 +/- 4%) was greater than that in control vector-treated rats (58 +/- 9%). The percentage of beta-galactosidase and Bcl-2 coexpressing neurons in sham-operated rats was similar in HSP72 (93 +/- 7%) and in control vector-treated rats (88 +/- 12%). HSP72 vector transfection led to 12 times as much Bcl-2 expression as the control vector in uninjured hippocampal neuronal cultures. In injured (oxygen-glucose deprivation) hippocampal neuron cultures, HSP72 vector transfection led to 2.8 times as much Bcl-2 expression as control vector. We show that HSP72 overexpression protects cornu ammonis 1 region of the hippocampus neurons from global cerebral ischemia, and that this protection may be mediated in part by increased Bcl-2 expression.     

Alzheimer’s disease like pathology induced six weeks after aggregated amyloid-beta injection in rats: increased oxidative stress and impaired long-term memory with anxiety-like behavior

Objectives: Amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide deposition into insoluble plaques is a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but soluble oligomeric Aβ is considered to be more potent and has been hypothesized to directly impair learning and memory. Also, evidences from some clinical studies indicated that Aβ oligomer formation is the major cause for early AD onset. However, the biochemical mechanism involved in the oligomer-induced toxicity is not very well addressed. So, thise present study was undertaken to study the effects of single intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of protofibrillar Aβ 1-42 on the behavioral and biochemical profile in rats.

Methods: Rats were divided into two groups (n = 8 per group): (1) sham control group and (2) Aβ 1-42 injected group. A single dose of protofibrillar Aβ 1-42 (5 ul) through icv injection was bilaterally administered into the dorsal hippocampus, while sham control animals were administered with 5 µl of vehicle.

Results: The results demonstrated that the protofibrillar Aβ significantly inhibited long-term memory retention and increased anxiety levels as shown by the behavioral studies. The amyloid deposits were present inside the brain even six weeks after injection as confirmed by thioflavin-T staining and the neurodegeneration induced by these deposits was confirmed by Nissl’s staining in hippocampal and cortical regions. The amyloid aggregates induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, acetylcholinesterase activity, nitrite levels, lipid peroxidation, and inhibited antioxidant enzyme activity in hippocampus, cortex, and striatum regions of rat brain after six weeks.

Discussion: The present study indicated that protofibrillar Aβ 1-42 injection altered long term memory, induced anxiety-like behavior and also developed Alzheimer’s disease like pathology in rats.     

Monosialoanglioside improves memory deficits and relieves oxidative stress in the hippocampus of rat model of Alzheimer’s disease

GM-1 ganglioside (GM-1) has been proposed as a new therapeutic agent against Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Therefore, in this study we aimed to investigate the effects of GM1 on memory deficits and oxidative stress in the hippocampus of rat model of AD. Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 15): control group, model group, and treatment group, which were injected with vehicle, Aβ1-40, and Aβ1-40 together with GM-1, respectively. Morris water maze test was performed to evaluate spatial learning and memory of the rats. Brain malondialdehyde (MDA) content was detected by biochemical assay, and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) level in the hippocampus was examined by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that learning and memory deficits were improved in treatment group compared to model group. Brain MDA content and 4-HNE level in hippocampus CA1 were much lower in treatment group than in model group. In summary, we demonstrate that GM-1 could improve spatial learning and memory deficits in rat model of AD, and this may be mediated by the inhibition of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the neurons. These data suggest that GM-1 is a potential agent for AD treatment.     

Soybean isoflavone ameliorates β‐amyloid 1‐42‐induced learning and memory deficit in rats by protecting synaptic structure and function

This research aims to investigate whether soybean isoflavone (SIF) could alleviate the learning and memory deficit induced by β‐amyloid peptides 1‐42 (Aβ1‐42) by protecting the synapses of rats. Adult male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to the following groups: (1) control group; (2) Aβ1‐42 group; (3) SIF group; (4) SIF + Aβ1‐42 group (SIF pretreatment group) according to body weight. The 80 mg/kg/day of SIF was administered orally by gavage to the rats in SIF and SIF+Aβ1‐42 groups. Aβ1‐42 was injected into the lateral cerebral ventricle of rats in Aβ1‐42 and SIF+Aβ1‐42 groups. The ability of learning and memory, ultramicrostructure of hippocampal synapses, and expression of synaptic related proteins were investigated. The Morris water maze results showed the escape latency and total distance were decreased in the rats of SIF pretreatment group compared to the rats in Aβ1‐42 group. Furthermore, SIF pretreatment could alleviate the synaptic structural damage and antagonize the down‐regulation expressions of below proteins induced by Aβ1‐42: (1) mRNA and protein of the synaptophysin and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD‐95); (2) protein of calmodulin (CaM), Ca²⁺/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II), and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB); (3) phosphorylation levels of CaMK II and CREB (pCAMK II, pCREB). These results suggested that SIF pretreatment could ameliorate the impairment of learning and memory ability in rats induced by Aβ1‐42, and its mechanism might be associated with the protection of synaptic plasticity by improving the synaptic structure and regulating the synaptic related proteins. Synapse 67:856–864, 2013 . © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Soy isoflavone attenuates brain mitochondrial oxidative stress induced by beta‐amyloid peptides 1–42 injection in lateral cerebral ventricle

The aim of this study is to investigate whether soy isoflavone (SIF) reduces oxidative stress and improves the antioxidant ability in mitochondria of rat brain damaged by injection of beta‐amyloid peptides 1–42 (Aβ1–42). Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, Aβ1–42, SIF + Aβ1–42, and SIF groups according to body weight. The rats in the SIF + Aβ1–42 group and SIF group were intragastrically administered SIF suspension in 0.5% CMC‐Na for 28 days, whereas the rats in control group and Aβ1–42 group were administered the same volume of 0.5% CMC‐Na. On day 14, the rats in the Aβ1–42 group and SIF + Aβ1–42 group were injected with Aβ1–42 into the lateral cerebral ventricle with physiological saline. The rat brains were then sampled, and brain mitochondria were isolated. After this, the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and mitochondrial redox state were measured. The contents of brain nuclear factor E2‐related factor (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) protein in brain tissue were quantitated by Western blot. The results showed that SIF maintained the MMP, elevated the reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio, and increased glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) protein expression in brain mitochondria. Additionally, SIF reversed the Aβ1–42‐induced downregulation of the protein expression of Nrf2 and HO‐1 in brain tissue. These results indicated that SIF could alleviate the oxidative damage and maintain the redox imbalance in brain mitochondria damaged by Aβ1–42. This might result from regulation of the Nrf2/HO‐1 pathway. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

17-AAG improves cognitive process and increases heat shock protein response in a model lesion with Aβ25–35

Molecular chaperones, or heat shock proteins (HSP), have been implicated in numerous neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the accumulation of protein aggregates, such as Alzheimer disease. The agglomeration of insoluble structures of Aβ is thought to be responsible for neuronal death, which in turn leads to the loss of cognitive functions. Recent findings have shown that the induction of HSP decreases the level of abnormal protein aggregates, as well as demonstrating that 17-(allylamino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), an analogue of geldanamycin (GA), increases Aβ clearance through the induction of molecular chaperones in cell culture. In light of this discovery that HSP overexpression can be neuroprotective, the search for a way to pharmacologically induce the overexpression of HSP and other associated chaperones may lead to a promising approach for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of our study was to evaluate both the effect of 17-AAG on the cognitive process and the HSP response in rats injected with Aβ_25–35 into the CA1 of the hippocampus.