Development of [124/125I]IAZA as a New Proteinopathy Imaging Agent for Alzheimer's Disease.

Radioiodinated imaging agents for Aß amyloid plaque imaging in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients have not been actively pursued. Our previous studies employed the "diaza" derivatives [11C]TAZA and [18F]flotaza in order to develop successful positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agents for Aß plaques. There is a need for radioiodinated imaging agents for Aß plaques for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and PET imaging. We report our findings on the preparation of [124/125I]IAZA, a "diaza" analog of [11C]TAZA and [18F]flotaza, and the evaluation of binding to Aß plaques in the postmortem human AD brain. The binding affinity of IAZA for Aß plaques was Ki = 10.9 nM with weak binding affinity for neurofibrillary tangles (Ki = 3.71 µM). Both [125I]IAZA and [124I]IAZA were produced in >25% radiochemical yield and >90% radiochemical purity. In vitro binding of [125I]IAZA and [124I]IAZA in postmortem human AD brains was higher in gray matter containing Aß plaques compared to white matter (ratio of gray to white matter was >7). Anti-Aß immunostaining strongly correlated with [124/125I]IAZA in postmortem AD human brains. The binding of [124/125I]IAZA in postmortem human AD brains was displaced by the known Aß plaque imaging agents. Thus, radiolabeled [124/123I]IAZA may potentially be a useful PET or SPECT radioligand for Aß plaques in brain imaging studies.

Alzheimer's Disease and Toxins Produced by Marine Dinoflagellates: An Issue to Explore.

This paper examined the toxins naturally produced by marine dinoflagellates and their effects on increases in ß-amyloid plaques along with tau protein hyperphosphorylation, both major drivers of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This approach is in line with the demand for certain natural compounds, namely those produced by marine invertebrates that have the potential to be used in the treatment of AD. Current advances in AD treatment are discussed as well as the main factors that potentially affect the puzzling global AD pattern. This study focused on yessotoxins (YTXs), gymnodimine (GYM), spirolides (SPXs), and gambierol, all toxins that have been shown to reduce ß-amyloid plaques and tau hyperphosphorylation, thus preventing the neuronal or synaptic dysfunction that ultimately causes the cell death associated with AD (or other neurodegenerative diseases). Another group of toxins described, okadaic acid (OA) and its derivatives, inhibit protein phosphatase activity, which facilitates the presence of phosphorylated tau proteins. A few studies have used OA to trigger AD in zebrafish, providing an opportunity to test in vivo the effectiveness of new drugs in treating or attenuating AD. Constraints on the production of marine toxins for use in these tests have been considered. Different lines of research are anticipated regarding the action of the two groups of toxins.

[124I]IBETA: A New Aß Plaque Positron Emission Tomography Imaging Agent for Alzheimer's Disease.

Several fluorine-18-labeled PET ß-amyloid (Aß) plaque radiotracers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) are in clinical use. However, no radioiodinated imaging agent for Aß plaques has been successfully moved forward for either single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Radioiodinated pyridyl benzofuran derivatives for the SPECT imaging of Aß plaques using iodine-123 and iodine-125 are being pursued. In this study, we assess the iodine-124 radioiodinated pyridyl benzofuran derivative 5-(5-[124I]iodobenzofuran-2-yl)-N,N-dimethylpyridin-2-amine ([124I]IBETA) (Ki = 2.36 nM) for utilization in PET imaging for Aß plaques. We report our findings on the radioiododestannylation reaction used to prepare [124/125I]IBETA and evaluate its binding to Aß plaques in a 5 × FAD mouse model and postmortem human AD brain. Both [125I]IBETA and [124I]IBETA are produced in >25% radiochemical yield and >85% radiochemical purity. The in vitro binding of [125I]IBETA and [124I]IBETA in transgenic 5 × FAD mouse model for Aß plaques was high in the frontal cortex, anterior cingulate, thalamus, and hippocampus, which are regions of high Aß accumulation, with very little binding in the cerebellum (ratio of brain regions to cerebellum was >5). The in vitro binding of [125I]IBETA and [124I]IBETA in postmortem human AD brains was higher in gray matter containing Aß plaques compared to white matter (ratio of gray to white matter was >5). Anti-Aß immunostaining strongly correlated with [124/125I]IBETA regional binding in both the 5 × FAD mouse and postmortem AD human brains. The binding of [124/125I]IBETA in 5 × FAD mouse and postmortem human AD brains was displaced by the known Aß plaque imaging agent, Flotaza. Preliminary PET/CT studies of [124I]IBETA in the 5 × FAD mouse model suggested [124I]IBETA was relatively stable in vivo with a greater localization of [124I]IBETA in the brain regions with a high concentration of Aß plaques. Some deiodination was observed at later time points. Therefore, [124I]IBETA may potentially be a useful PET radioligand for Aß plaques in brain studies.

Histamine H3 receptor antagonists with peptidomimetic (keto)piperazine structures to inhibit Aß oligomerisation.

Alzheimers disease (AD) is the most prominent neurodegenerative disorder with high medical need. Protein-protein-interactions (PPI) interactions have a critical role in AD where ß-amyloid structures (Aß) build toxic oligomers. Design of disease modifying multi target directed ligand (MTDL) has been performed, which disable PPI on the one hand and on the other hand, act as procognitive antagonists at the histamine H3 receptor (H3R). The synthetized compounds are structurally based on peptidomimetic amino acid-like structures mainly as keto, diketo-, or acyl variations of a piperazine moiety connected to an H3R pharmacophore. Most of them showed low nanomolar affinities at H3R and some with promising affinity to Aß-monomers. The structure-activity relationships (SAR) described offer new possibilities for MTDL with an optimized profile combining symptomatic and potential causal therapeutic approaches in AD.

Clinical Relevance of [18F]Florbetaben and [18F]FDG PET/CT Imaging on the Management of Patients with Dementia.

PET of ß-Amyloid plaques (Aß) using [18F]florbetaben ([18F]FBB) and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) increasingly aid clinicians in early diagnosis of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), frontotemporal disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and vascular dementia. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate clinical relevance of [18F]FBB, [18F]FDG PET and complimentary CSF measurements in patients with suspected dementia. In this study, 40 patients with clinically suspected or history of dementia underwent (1) measurement of Aß peptides, total tau, and p-tau protein levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compared with healthy controls (HC); (2) clinical and neuropsychological assessment, which included Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease neuropsychological assessment battery (CERAD-NAB); (3) [18F]FBB and [18F]FDG PET imaging within an average of 3 weeks. The subjects were within 15 days stratified using PET, CSF measurements as HC, mild cognitive impaired (MCI) and dementia including Alzheimer´s disease. The predictive dementia-related cognitive decline values were supporting the measurements. PET images were evaluated visually and quantitatively using standard uptake value ratios (SUVR). Twenty-one (52.5%) subjects were amyloid-positive (Aß+), with a median neocortical SUVR of 1.80 for AD versus 1.20 relative to the respective 19 (47.5 %) amyloid-negative (Aß-) subjects. Moreover, the [18F]FDG and [18F]FBB confirmed within a sub-group of 10 patients a good complimentary role by correlation between amyloid pathology and brain glucose metabolism in 8 out of 10 subjects. The results suggest the clinical relevance for [18F]FBB combined with [18F]FDG PET retention and CFS measurements serving the management of our patients with dementia. Therefore, [18F]FBB combined with [18F]FDG PET is a helpful tool for differential diagnosis, and supports the patients' management as well as treatment.

PET Radiopharmaceuticals for Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis, the Current and Future Landscape.

Ironically, population aging which is considered a public health success has been accompanied by a myriad of new health challenges, which include neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs), the incidence of which increases proportionally to age. Among them, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are the most common, with the misfolding and the aggregation of proteins being common and causal in the pathogenesis of both diseases. AD is characterized by the presence of hyperphosphorylated τ protein (tau), which is the main component of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), and senile plaques the main component of which is ß-amyloid peptide aggregates (Aß). The neuropathological hallmark of PD is α-synuclein aggregates (α-syn), which are present as insoluble fibrils, the primary structural component of Lewy body (LB) and neurites (LN). An increasing number of non-invasive PET examinations have been used for AD, to monitor the pathological progress (hallmarks) of disease. Notwithstanding, still the need for the development of novel detection tools for other proteinopathies still remains. This review, although not exhaustively, looks at the timeline of the development of existing tracers used in the imaging of Aß and important moments that led to the development of these tracers.

Conversion of iodine to fluorine-18 based on iodinated chalcone and evaluation for ß-amyloid PET imaging.

In the amyloid cascade hypothesis, ß-amyloid (Aß) plaques is one of the major pathological biomarkers in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain. We report the synthesis and evaluation of novel radiofluorinated chalcones, [18F]4-dimethylamino-4'-fluoro-chalcone ([18F]DMFC) and [18F]4'-fluoro-4-methylamino-chalcone ([18F]FMC), as Aß imaging probes. The conversion of iodine directly introduced to the chalcone backbone into fluorine was successfully carried out by 18F-labeling via the corresponding boronate precursors, achieving the direct introduction of fluorine-18 into the chalcone backbone to prepare [18F]DMFC and [18F]FMC. In a biodistribution study using normal mice, [18F]DMFC and [18F]FMC showed a higher initial uptake (4.43 and 5.47% ID/g at 2 min postinjection, respectively) into and more rapid clearance (0.52 and 0.66% ID/g at 30 min postinjection, respectively) from the brain than a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved Aß imaging agent ([18F]Florbetapir), meaning the improvement of the probability of detecting Aß plaques and the reduction of non-specific binding in the brain. In the in vitro binding studies using aggregates of recombinant Aß peptides, [18F]DMFC and [18F]FMC showed high binding affinity to recombinant Aß aggregates at the Kd values of 4.47 and 6.50 nM, respectively. In the in vitro autoradiography (ARG) experiment with AD brain sections, [18F]DMFC and [18F]FMC markedly accumulated only in a region with abundant Aß plaques, indicating that they clearly recognized human Aß plaques in vitro. These encouraging results suggest that [18F]DMFC and [18F]FMC may be promising PET probes for the detection of an amyloid pathology and the early diagnosis of AD with marked accuracy.

Memantine loaded PLGA PEGylated nanoparticles for Alzheimer's disease: in vitro and in vivo characterization.

BACKGROUND: Memantine, drug approved for moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease, has not shown to be fully effective. In order to solve this issue, polylactic-co-glycolic (PLGA) nanoparticles could be a suitable solution to increase drug's action on the target site as well as decrease adverse effects. For these reason, Memantine was loaded in biodegradable PLGA nanoparticles, produced by double emulsion method and surface-coated with polyethylene glycol. MEM-PEG-PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) were aimed to target the blood-brain barrier (BBB) upon oral administration for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. RESULTS: The production parameters were optimized by design of experiments. MEM-PEG-PLGA NPs showed a mean particle size below 200 nm (152.6 ± 0.5 nm), monomodal size distribution (polydispersity index, PI < 0.1) and negative surface charge (- 22.4 mV). Physicochemical characterization of NPs confirmed that the crystalline drug was dispersed inside the PLGA matrix. MEM-PEG-PLGA NPs were found to be non-cytotoxic on brain cell lines (bEnd.3 and astrocytes). Memantine followed a slower release profile from the NPs against the free drug solution, allowing to reduce drug administration frequency in vivo. Nanoparticles were able to cross BBB both in vitro and in vivo. Behavioral tests carried out on transgenic APPswe/PS1dE9 mice demonstrated to enhance the benefit of decreasing memory impairment when using MEM-PEG-PLGA NPs in comparison to the free drug solution. Histological studies confirmed that MEM-PEG-PLGA NPs reduced ß-amyloid plaques and the associated inflammation characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. CONCLUSIONS: Memantine NPs were suitable for Alzheimer's disease and more effective than the free drug.

Repeat propofol anesthesia does not exacerbate plaque deposition or synapse loss in APP/PS1 Alzheimer's disease mice.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing interest in whether anesthetic agents affect the risk or progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). To mitigate many of the methodological issues encountered in human retrospective cohort studies we have used a transgenic model of AD to investigate the effect of propofol on AD pathology. METHODS: Six month-old amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1) transgenic AD mice and control mice were exposed to 3 doses of propofol (200 mg/kg) or vehicle, delivered at monthly intervals. RESULTS: There was no difference in the extent of ß-amyloid (Aß) immunolabeled plaque deposition in APP/PS1 mice in vehicle versus propofol treatment groups. We also detected no difference in plaque-associated synapse loss in APP/PS1 mice following repeat propofol exposure relative to vehicle. Western blotting indicated that there was no difference in post-synaptic density protein 95, synaptophysin or glutamic acid decarboxylase 65/67 expression in control or APP/PS1 mice subjected to repeat propofol treatment relative to vehicle. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that repeat propofol anesthesia may not exacerbate plaque deposition or associated synapse loss in AD. Interestingly, this data also provides some of the first evidence suggesting that repeat propofol exposure in adult wild-type mice does not result in robust long-term alterations in the levels of key excitatory and inhibitory synaptic markers.

[In vitro early detection of amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease by Pittsburgh compound B-modified magnetic nanoparticles].

Objective: To construct magnetic nanoparticles targeting ß-amyloid (Aß) plaques, the pathological biomarker of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and to study their binding capability in vitro. Methods: Superparamagnetic nanoparticles Mn(0.6)Zn(0.4)Fe(2)O(4) (MZF) were coated with amphiphilic star-block copolymeric micelles and modified with Aß-specific probe Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) to construct a novel magnetic nanoparticle MZF-PiB, which specifically targeted amyloid plaques. Transmission electron microscope was used to study the morphological features of MZF-PiB. Superparamagnetism of MZF-PiB was assessed by its r(2) relaxation rate by using 3.0 T MRI scanner. Cytotoxic test was applied to determine biosafety of MZF-PiB nanoparticles in differentiated human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) and Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK). In vitro binding tests were conducted via immunohistochemistry on 6-month old AD mice brain sections. Differences of cell viability between groups were compared with one-way analysis of variance. Results: MZF-PiB nanoparticles were successfully constructed. Transmission electron microscope images showed that the nanoparticles were about 100 nm in size. The r(2) relaxation rate was 163.11 mMS(-1). No differences were found in cell viability of SH-SY5Y and MDCK incubated with MZF-PiB suspension for 24 h or 48 h when compared with those of untreated cells (F=2.336, 2.539, 0.293, 1.493, all P>0.05). In vitro binding tests indicated that the MZF-PiB were specifically bound to amyloid plaques. The smallest size of detected plaques was 27 µm. Conclusion: PiB-modified nanoparticles targeting Aß are biologically safe and highly superparamagnetic, possessing the capability to detect amyloid plaques early in vitro and the potential for early diagnosis of AD.

Cyclin-Dependent kinase 5 targeting prevents ß-Amyloid aggregation involving glycogen synthase kinase 3ß and phosphatases.

Inappropriate activation of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) resulting from proteolytic release of the activator fragment p25 from the membrane contributes to the formation of neurofibrillary tangles, ß-amyloid (ßA) aggregation, and chronic neurodegeneration. At 18 months of age, 3× Tg-AD mice were sacrificed after either 3 weeks (short term) or 1 year (long term) of CDK5 knockdown. In short-term-treated animals, CDK5 knockdown reversed ßA aggregation in the hippocampi via inhibitory phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3ß Ser9 and activation of phosphatase PP2A. In long-term-treated animals, CDK5 knockdown induced a persistent reduction in CDK5 and prevented ßA aggregation, but the effect on amyloid precursor protein processing was reduced, suggesting that yearly booster therapy would be required. These findings further validate CDK5 as a target for preventing or blocking amyloidosis in older transgenic mice.

Novel potential for the management of Alzheimer disease.

Pathologic characteristics of Alzheimer disease (AD) are ß-amyloid (Aß) plaques, neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) and neurodegeneration. Currently, there is no cure for AD. Cilostazol, a selective inhibitor of type 3 phosphodiesterase, is likely to be a promising agent for AD. In the brain of the experimental animals it significantly reduced the Aß amyloid plaques. Initial clinical reports on the effect of Cilostazol in AD patients are promising. In mice, stem cells favourably influence the pathogenetic process critical in AD, by reducing deposits of Aß plaques. Clinical trials of the drug, called Betablock, are already underway in Britain. Successful management and resolution of AD in man will still require further intensive research (Fig. 4, Ref. 11).

Exploring Novel Quinoline-1,3,4-Oxadiazole Derivatives for Alzheimer's Disease: Their Design, Synthesis, and In-Vitro and In-Silico Investigations.

INTRODUCTION: Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a complicated and advanced neurodegenerative condition accompanied by gradual cholinergic neuronal death and higher levels of monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) enzyme. In this study, a series of novel hybrid compounds combining 1,3,4-oxadiazole and quinoline moieties were synthesized and evaluated for their potential as inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), and MAO enzymes. METHODS: The chemical structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed using various analytical techniques, such as mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy (IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), and carbon and nuclear magnetic resonance (13C-NMR). The final products were evaluated for anticholinesterase potential by applying modified Ellman's spectrometric method, whereas a fluorometric method was used to assess MAO inhibition properties. In-silico studies using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) methods has been also conducted. RESULTS: Among the synthesized compounds, 5a, 5c, and 6a demonstrated substantial activity against AChE, with IC50 values of 0.033 µM, 0.096 µM, and 0.177 µM, respectively. A molecular docking study was performed to elucidate the binding modes and establish the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of the most active compounds (5a, 5c, and 6a). Molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) of the most potent compound, 5a, was also conducted to examine the stability of the interactions with the receptor. Moreover, the physicochemical properties of the active products were also studied. CONCLUSION: Overall, this research contributes to the development of 1,3,4-oxadiazole- quinoline hybrids as potential AChE inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Potential of astrocytes in targeting therapy for Alzheimer's disease.

As the most common neurodegenerative disease, Alzheimer's disease (AD) exhibits an incomprehensible pathogenesis, which has led to the continuous failure of drug development in recent years. Although neuronal damage is considered a pathological feature of AD, treatment strategies targeting ß-amyloid (Aß) have not achieved beneficial effects. In-depth research on glial cells has revealed the strong importance and application prospects of astrocytes in the recovery of cognitive functions. This review summarizes the role of astrocytes in AD and the possibility of therapeutic strategies targeting astrocytes. Astrocytes are involved in brain lipid metabolism and can regulate the synthesis and degradation of Aß to affect the pathology of AD. The tau protein is phosphorylated by astrocytes, and this phosphorylation leads to the formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). Astrocytes can express a variety of receptors and inflammatory factors and participate in the neuroinflammatory process and the release of proinflammatory mediators. When the glutamate produced by the neurons is not cleared by astrocytes, neurons undergo apoptosis due to blocked cell metabolism. Therapies for astrocytes are highly efficient, and these include stem cell therapy, gene editing technology, astrocyte transformation and chemical drugs. Here, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of animal and cell models applied to the study of targeted astrocyte therapies. This study helps elucidate the mechanism of astrocytes in AD and promotes the clinical application of potential therapeutic strategies targeting astrocytes.

The role and therapeutic implication of protein tyrosine phosphatases in Alzheimer's disease.

Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are important regulator of neuronal signal transduction and a growing number of PTPs have been implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the brains of patients with AD, there are a variety of abnormally phosphorylated proteins, which are closely related to the abnormal expression and activity of PTPs. ß-Amyloid plaques (Aß) and hyperphosphorylated tau protein are two pathological hallmarks of AD, and their accumulation ultimately leads to neurodegeneration. Studies have shown that protein phosphorylation signaling pathways mediates intracellular accumulation of Aß and tau during AD development and are involved in synaptic plasticity and other stress responses. Here, we summarized the roles of PTPs related to the pathogenesis of AD and analyzed their therapeutic potential in AD.

The age-specific pathological changes of ß-amyloid plaques in the cortex and hippocampus of APP/PS1 transgenic AD mice.

OBJECTIVE: Numerous pathological variations and complex interactions are involved in the long period prior to cognitive decline in brains with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, elucidation of the pathological disorders can facilitate early AD diagnosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the age-specific pathological changes of ß-amyloid plaques in brain tissues of AD mice at different ages. METHODS: We arranged the most widely available APP/PS1 transgenic AD models into six age groups: 3, 4 and 6 months (these three groups mimicked early-clinical stage AD), 9, 12 and 15 months (these three groups mimicked late-clinical stage AD). Cell morphology and arrangement in the cortex and hippocampus were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Congo red staining and immunohistochemical staining were performed to exhibit the distribution of ß-amyloid plaques in the cortex and hippocampus of AD brains. RESULTS: Our results found that as age increased, the nuclei of cortical and hippocampal cells in AD mice were severely damaged. The number and area of ß-amyloid plaques increased in AD mice in correspondence with age revealed by histological experiments. Importantly, ß-amyloid plaques were detected in the cortex and hippocampus of 6-month-old AD mice shown by Congo red staining while detected in the cortex and hippocampus of 4-month-old AD mice shown by immunohistochemical staining. CONCLUSIONS: The current study revealed the age-related pathological changes of ß-amyloid plaques in the cortex and hippocampus of AD mice and displayed a higher specificity of immunohistochemical staining than Congo red staining when detecting pathological changes of brain tissues.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease: Opportunities for Drug Development.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the major reasons for 60-80% cases of senile dementia occurring as a result of the accumulation of plaques and tangles in the hippocampal and cortical neurons of the brain leading to neurodegeneration and cell death. The other pathological features of AD comprise abnormal microvasculature, network abnormalities, interneuronal dysfunction, increased ß-amyloid production and reduced clearance, increased inflammatory response, elevated production of reactive oxygen species, impaired brain metabolism, hyperphosphorylation of tau, and disruption of acetylcholine signaling. Among all these pathologies, Mitochondrial Dysfunction (MD), regardless of it being an inciting insult or a consequence of the alterations, is related to all the associated AD pathologies. Observed altered mitochondrial morphology, distribution and movement, increased oxidative stress, dysregulation of enzymes involved in mitochondrial functioning, impaired brain metabolism, and impaired mitochondrial biogenesis in AD subjects suggest the involvement of mitochondrial malfunction in the progression of AD. Here, various pre-clinical and clinical evidence establishing MD as a key mediator in the progression of neurodegeneration in AD are reviewed and discussed with an aim to foster future MD based drug development research for the management of AD.

ß-Amyloid Formation, Memory, and Learning Decline Following Long-term Ovariectomy and Its Inhibition by Systemic Administration of Apigenin and ß-Estradiol.

INTRODUCTION: The increasing cases of Alzheimer Disease (AD) has caused numerous problems. The risk of developing AD increases in menopausal women, too. Apigenin and ß-estradiol are effective antioxidant and neuroprotective agents. We conducted the present study to explore their combined effects on ß-amyloid plaque formation, memory, and learning in ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Forty-two Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 6 groups: 1) ovariectomized (OVX), 2) OVX + apigenin, 3) OVX + ß-estradiol, 4) OVX + apigenin + ß-estradiol, 5 &6) vehicle shams for E2 and API, and 7) surgical sham. Treatment was done with apigenin and ß-estradiol. Then, we studied the formation of ß-amyloid plaques, neuronal density in the hippocampus area, apoptosis, memory, and learning. RESULTS: Findings showed the significant formation of ß-amyloid plaques in the hippocampus of OVX animals and their memory impairment. Apigenin and ß-estradiol significantly reduced the number of ß-amyloid plaques, as well as the symptoms of memory impairment and learning, and decreased the expression of caspase-3 in treated animals. CONCLUSION: Accordingly, ß-estradiol and apigenin could have more potent therapeutic effects on AD.

Interaction of Exogenous Butyrylcholinesterase with ß-Amyloid Plaques in 5XFAD/Butyrylcholinesterase-Knockout Mouse Brain.

BACKGROUND: In Alzheimer's disease (AD), and amyloid models such as the 5XFAD mouse, butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is associated with ß-amyloid (Aß) plaques and has unique biochemical features which distinguish it from that found in neurons. It has been suggested that BChE associated with Aß plaques may be involved in the maturation of this structure and thus disease progression. OBJECTIVE: Currently, it is unknown whether BChE bound to Aß plaques has altered biochemical properties due to a different primary structure or because of the association of this enzyme with Aß plaques. Also, the source and binding mechanism of this BChE remains unknown. METHODS: Brain tissue sections from the 5XFAD/BChE-KO mouse were incubated with exogenous sources of BChE and stained for this enzyme's activity. Efforts were made to determine what region of BChE or Aß may be involved in this association. RESULTS: We found that incubation of 5XFAD/BChE-KO brain tissues with exogenous BChE led to this enzyme becoming associated with Aß plaques and neurons. In contrast to neuronal BChE, the BChE bound to Aß plaques had similar biochemical properties to those seen in AD. Mutations to BChE and efforts to block Aß epitomes failed to prevent this association. CONCLUSION: The association of BChE with Aß plaques, and the resultant biochemical changes, suggests that BChE may undergo a conformational change when bound to Aß plaques but not neurons. The 5XFAD/BChE-KO model is ideally suited to explore the binding mechanism of BChE to Aß plaques as well as the involvement of BChE in AD pathogenesis.

Tanshinone IIA ameliorates cognitive deficits by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis in APP/PS1 transgenic mice.

Our previous data indicated that tanshinone IIA (tan IIA) improves learning and memory in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) induced by streptozotocin via restoring cholinergic function, attenuating oxidative stress and blocking p38 MAPK signal pathway activation. This study aims to estimate whether tan IIA inhibits endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced apoptosis to prevent cognitive decline in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Tan IIA (10 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered to the six-month-old APP/PS1 mice for 30 consecutive days. ß-amyloid (Aß) plaques were measured by immunohistochemisty and Thioflavin S staining, apoptotic cells were observed by TUNEL, ER stress markers and apoptosis signaling proteins were investigated by western blotting and RT-PCR. Our results showed that tan IIA significantly ameliorates cognitive deficits and improves spatial learning ability of APP/PS1 mice in the nest-building test, novel object recognition test and Morris water maze test. Furthermore, tan IIA significantly reduced the deposition of Aß plaques and neuronal apoptosis, and markedly prevented abnormal expression of glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78), initiation factor 2α (eIF2α), inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α), activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), as well as suppressed the activation of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways in the parietal cortex and hippocampus. Moreover, tan IIA induced an up-regulation of the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and down-regulation of caspase-3 protein activity. Taken together, the above findings indicated that tan IIA improves learning and memory through attenuating Aß plaques deposition and inhibiting ER stress-induced apoptosis. These results suggested that tan IIA might become a promising therapeutic candidate drug against AD.