Protective effects of evodiamine in experimental paradigm of Alzheimer’s disease

Evodiamine, a major component of Evodia rutaecarpa, has been reported to possess various pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidative stress, and neuroprotective effects. Our previous study has shown that the potential effects of evodiamine on the learning and memory impairments in the transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The present study was designed to investigate neuroprotective mechanism and therapeutic potential of evodiamine against intracerebroventricular streptozotocin (ICV-STZ)-induced experimental sporadic Alzheimer’s disease in mice. STZ was injected twice intracerebroventrically (3 mg/kg ICV) on alternate days (day 1 and day 3) in mice. Daily oral administration with evodiamine (50 or 100 mg/kg per day) starting from the first dose of STZ for 21 days showed an improvement in STZ induced cognitive deficits as assessed by novel object recognition and Morris water maze test. Evodiamine significantly decreased STZ induced elevation in acetylcholinesterase activity and malondialdehyde level, and significantly increased STZ induced reduction in glutathione activities and superoxide dismutase activities in the hippocampus compared to control. Furthermore, evodiamine inhibited significantly glial cell activation and neuroinflammation (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels) in the hippocampus. Moreover, evodiamine increased the activity of AKT/GSK-3β signalling pathway and inhibited the activity of nuclear factor κB. In summary, our study suggests that evodiamine can be a novel therapeutic agent for the management of sporadic AD.     

Altered expression of NCAM in hippocampus and cortex may underlie memory and learning deficits in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus

Neurological and structural changes are paralleled by cognitive deficits in diabetes mellitus. The present study was designed to evaluate the expression of neural cell adhesion molecules (NCAM) in the hippocampus, cortex and cerebellum and to examine cognitive functions in diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in male albino rats via intraperitoneal streptozotocin injection. Learning and memory behaviors were investigated using a passive avoidance test and a spatial version of the Morris water maze test. NCAM expression was detected in the hippocampus, cortex and cerebellum by an immunoblotting method. The diabetic rats developed significant impairment in learning and memory behaviours as indicated by deficits in passive avoidance and water maze tests as compared to control rats. Expression of NCAM 180 and 120 kDa were found to be higher in hippocampus and cortex of diabetic rat brains compared to those of control, whereas expression of NCAM 140 kDa decreased in these brain regions. Our findings suggest that streptozotocin-induced diabetes impairs cognitive functions and causes an imbalance in expression of NCAM in those brain regions involved in learning and memory. Altered expression of NCAM in hippocampus may be an important cause of learning and memory deficits that occur in diabetes mellitus.     

APP695^K595N／M596L突变转基因小鼠的建立和病理表型动态分析

目的建立APP695^K595N／M596L（Swedish突变）转基因小鼠和评价痴呆表型的发生和发展过程。方法将APP695^K595N／M596L突变基因插入到小鼠朊蛋白（mouse prion protein）启动子下游,构建转基因表达载体,通过显微注射法建立APP695^K595N／M596L突变转基因C57BL／6J小鼠。PCR鉴定转基因小鼠的基因表型,Western blotting检测APP突变基因表达。Thioflavin-S染色检测不同年龄转基因小鼠大脑病理改变。Morris水迷宫动态观察小鼠行为学改变。结果建立了人APP695^K595N／M596L转基因小鼠,Thioflavin-S染色显示转基因小鼠9月龄时在脑海马区可检测到老年斑形成,并且在11、12月龄时明显增多。Morris水迷宫结果发现与同月龄野生型小鼠相比,该转基因小鼠5月龄开始出现学习记忆能力缺陷,7、9、11月行为学结果证实转基因小鼠的学习记忆能力缺陷随年龄增加而日趋严重（P＜0．05）。结论建立了人APP695^K595N／M596L转基因小鼠,并能再现人类阿尔茨海默症的行为学及神经病理学特征,为阿尔茨海默病发病机制研究和药物研发提供了有价值的动物模型。     

Fragile X mental retardation protein is required for chemically-induced long-term potentiation of the hippocampus in adult mice

Fragile X syndrome (FXS), a common form of inherited mental retardation, is caused by the lack of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). The animal model of FXS, Fmr1 knockout mice, have deficits in the Morris water maze and trace fear memory tests, showing impairment in hippocampus-dependent learning and memory. However, results for synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP), a key cellular model for learning and memory, remain inconclusive in the hippocampus of Fmr1 knockout mice. Here, we demonstrate that FMRP is required for glycine induced LTP (Gly-LTP) in the CA1 of hippocampus. This form of LTP requires activation of post-synaptic NMDA receptors and metabotropic glutamateric receptors, as well as the subsequent activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2. However, paired-pulse facilitation was not affected by glycine treatment. Genetic deletion of FMRP interrupted the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, suggesting the possible role of FMRP in the regulation of the activity of ERK1/2. Our study provide strong evidences that FMRP participates in Gly-LTP in the hippocampus by regulating the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, and that improper regulation of these signaling pathways may contribute to the learning and memory deficits observed in FXS.     

Impaired learning with enhanced hippocampal long-term potentiation in PTPdelta-deficient mice

Protein tyrosine phosphatase delta (PTPdelta) is a receptor-type PTP expressed in the specialized regions of the brain including the hippocampal CA2 and CA3, B lymphocytes and thymic medulla. To elucidate the physiological roles of PTPdelta, PTPdelta-deficient mice were produced by gene targeting. It was found that PTPdelta-deficient mice were semi-lethal due to insufficient food intake. They also exhibited learning impairment in the Morris water maze, reinforced T-maze and radial arm maze tasks. Interestingly, although the histology of the hippocampus appeared normal, the magnitudes of long-term potentiation (LTP) induced at hippocampal CA1 and CA3 synapses were significantly enhanced in PTPdelta-deficient mice, with augmented paired-pulse facilitation in the CA1 region. Thus, it was shown that PTPdelta plays important roles in regulating hippocampal LTP and learning processes, and that hippocampal LTP does not necessarily positively correlate with spatial learning ability. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a specific PTP involved in the regulation of synaptic plasticity or in the processes regulating learning and memory.     

Neuroprotective effects of quercetin, rutin and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus Linn.) in dexamethasone-treated mice

The administration of dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid receptor agonist, causes neuronal death in the CA3 layer of the hippocampus, which has been associated with learning and memory impairments. This study aimed to examine the ability of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus Linn.) extract and its derivatives (quercetin and rutin) to protect neuronal function and improve learning and memory deficits in mice subjected to dexamethasone treatment. Learning and memory functions in mice were examined using the Morris water maze test. The results showed that the mice treated with dexamethasone had prolonged water maze performance latencies and shorter time spent in the target quadrant while mice pretreated with quercetin, rutin or okra extract prior to dexamethasone treatment showed shorter latencies and longer time spent in target quadrant. Morphological changes in pyramidal neurons were observed in the dexamethasone treated group. The number of CA3 hippocampal neurons was significantly lower while pretreated with quercetin, rutin or okra attenuated this change. Prolonged treatment with dexamethasone altered NMDA receptor expression in the hippocampus. Pretreatment with quercetin, rutin or okra extract prevented the reduction in NMDA receptor expression. Dentate gyrus (DG) cell proliferation was examined using the 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry technique. The number of BrdU-immunopositive cells was significantly reduced in dexamethasone-treated mice compared to control mice. Pretreatment with okra extract, either quercetin or rutin was found to restore BrdU-immunoreactivity in the dentate gyrus. These findings suggest that quercetin, rutin and okra extract treatments reversed cognitive deficits, including impaired dentate gyrus (DG) cell proliferation, and protected against morphological changes in the CA3 region in dexamethasone-treated mice. The precise mechanism of the neuroprotective effect of these plant extracts should be further investigated.     

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) flower improves learning and memory performances impaired by diabetes mellitus in rats

Oxidative stress induced by diabetes mellitus leads to damages in the brain, as a consequence of which cognitive functions is impaired. Therefore, for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, in addition to antidiabetics, antioxidants are used to cope with oxidative stress. The antioxidant ability of pomegranate flowers (PGF) to cope with the oxidative stress was investigated. Rats were divided into five groups with 12 animals in each group as given below: control, diabetes (STZ), STZ + the PGF I (300 mg/kg/day), STZ + PGF II (400 mg/kg/day) and STZ + PGF III (500 mg/kg/day).The findings from Morris water maze and probe tests showed that the animals in STZ group had impairments in learning and memory performances compared to the control group. Supplementation of PGF led to improvements in learning and memory performances of diabetic rats.While lipid peroxidation (LPO) was increased (P<0.001), glutathione (GSH) content was decreased (P<0.001) in hippocampal tissue of STZ-induced diabetic rats when compared with control values. Supplementation of PGF restored the levels of LPO and GSH towards their control values. Daily PGF supplementation to diabetic rats reduced the increase in glial-fibrilar acidic protein (GFAP) contents induced by diabetes in the hippocampus, which was significant in STZ + PGF III in comparison to STZ group (p<0.05).In conclusion, these observations suggest that PGF supplementation decreases oxidative stress and ameliorates impairment in learning and memory performances in diabetic rats. Therefore, we suggest that PGF supplementation may be clinically useful in treating neuronal deficit in diabetic patients.     

TRP 对KA 诱导的AD 模型大鼠学习记忆的影响及其作用机制

目的:观察雷公藤甲素(Triptolide,TRP)对海人藻酸(Kainic acid,KA)海马内注射后大鼠学习记忆的影响及其作用机制。方法:采用Morris水迷宫筛选空间学习记忆能力正常的SD雄性大鼠90只(200～220g)。将实验动物分成3组:右侧海马注射生理盐水后生理盐水灌胃对照组(NS+NS)、右侧海马注射海人藻酸后生理盐水灌胃干预组(KA+NS)、右侧海马注射海人藻酸后雷公藤甲素灌胃干预组(KA+TRP)。动物存活1天,3天,5天,7天,14天,每个时间点6只,处死前分别于各相应时间点用Morris水迷宫检测各组动物空间位置记忆能力;免疫组织化学方法结合图像分析技术检测海马CA1区神经元COX-2的表达。结果:与NS组(NS+NS)比较,KA组(KA+NS)大鼠逃避潜伏期延长(P<0.05),跨越原平台次数减少(P<0.05);海马CA1区的神经元COX-2表达升高(P<0.05);TRP组(TRP+KA)与KA组比较,大鼠的平均逃避潜伏期从第5天起缩短(P<0.05),跨越原平台次数增多(P<0.05),海马CA1区神经元COX-2表达在5天,7天时下调(P<0.05)。结论:KA海马内注射,可以导致大鼠学习记忆功能障碍及上调海马CA1区神经元COX-2表达;雷公藤甲素干预治疗,能够改善动物的学习和记忆能力,能抑制KA诱导的海马CAl区神经元COX-2的表达。     

两种水迷宫在测试拟阿尔茨海默病小鼠学习记忆能力中的比较

目的采用两种水迷宫对拟阿尔茨海默病小鼠学习记忆功能进行比较。方法将小鼠分为正常对照组、模型组及给药组。用Morris水迷宫和MS-2水迷宫自动控制仪分别测试各组小鼠的学习记忆能力。结果在Morris水迷宫测试中,模型组与对照组,给药组与模型组比较,逃避潜伏期均有显著性差异（P〈0.01）,在MS-2水迷宫自动控制仪测试中,模型组与对照组比较有明显差异（P〈0.05）,而给药组与模型组比较,游出水迷路的时间均有所减少,但没有显著性差异（P〉0.05）。结论Morris水迷宫和MS-2水迷宫自动控制仪测试方法均能反映动物学习和记忆功能,而前者能更敏感地反映出动物的学习记忆能力。因此,Morris水迷宫应为实验首选,当然在实验需要时,两种水迷宫最好结合使用,以得到客观的结果。     

Protective effect of daidzein against streptozotocin‐induced Alzheimer's disease via improving cognitive dysfunction and oxidative stress in rat model

Oxidative stress is performing an essential role in developing Alzheimer's disease (AD), and age‐related disorder and other neurodegenerative diseases. In existing research, we have aimed at investigating the daidzein (4′,7‐dihydroxyisoflavone) effect (10 and 20 mg/kg of body weight), as a free radical scavenger and antioxidant in streptozotocin (STZ) infused AD in rat model. Daidzein treatment led to significant improvement in intracerebroventricular‐streptozotocin (ICV‐STZ)‐induced memory and learning impairments that was evaluated by Morris water maze test and spontaneous locomotor activity. It significantly restored the alterations in malondialdehyde, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione levels. In addition, histopathological observations in cerebral cortex and hippocampal areas confirmed the neuroprotective effect of daidzein. These outcomes provide experimental proof showing preventive effect of daidzein on memory, learning dysfunction and oxidative stress in case of ICV‐STZ rats. In conclusion, daidzein offers a potential treatment module for various neurodegenerative disorders with regard to mental deficits like AD.     

Ameliorative effect of betulin from Betula platyphylla bark on scopolamine-induced amnesic mice

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease induced by cholinergic neuron damage or amyloid-beta aggregation in the basal forebrain region and resulting in cognitive disorder. We previously reported on the neuroprotective effects of Betula platyphylla bark (BPB) in an amyloid-beta-induced amnesic mouse model. In this study, we obtained a cognitive-enhancing compound by assessing results using a scopolamine-induced amnesic mouse model. Our results show that oral treatment of mice with BPB and betulin significantly ameliorated scopolamine-induced memory deficits in both passive avoidance and Y-maze tests. In the Morris water maze test, administration of BPB and betulin significantly improved memory and cognitive function indicating the formation of working and reference memories in treated mice. Moreover, betulin significantly increased glutathione content in mouse hippocampus, and the increase was greater than that from betulinic acid treatment. We conclude that BPB and its active component betulin have potential as therapeutic, cognitive enhancer in AD.     

β-adrenergic modulation of in vivo long-term potentiation in area CA1 and its role in spatial learning in rats

The hippocampus plays a key role in declarative learning and memory [1]. Hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) is a type of synaptic plasticity that has been widely studied as a syn-aptic mechanism underlying learning and memory[27]. It has been reported that in vitro LTP in area CA1 is subjected to b-adrenergic modulation. For example, the theta-pulse stimulation (510 Hz), a neutral frequency not modifying synaptic strength, can elicit a robust LTP in area CA1 in slice when the b-adr…     

β-adrenergic modulation of in vivo long-term potentiation in area CA1 and its role in spatial learning in rats

Activation of β-adrenoceptors in area CA1 of the hippocampus facilitates in vitro long-term potentiation (LTP) in this region. However, it is unclear if in vivo LTP in area CA1 and hippocampus-dependent learning are subjected to β-adrenergic regulation. To address this question, we investigated the effects of the β-adrenergic agonist L-isoproterenol or antagonist DL-propranolol on in vivo LTP of area CA1 and the spatial learning in Morris water maze. In the presence of L-isoproterenol (through local infusion into area CA1), the theta-pulse stimulation with the parameter of 10 Hz, 150 pulses/train, 1 train, a frequency weakly modifying synaptic strength, induced a robust LTP, and this effect was blocked when DL-propranolol was co-administered. By contrast, the theta-pulse stimulation with the parameter of 5 Hz, 150 pulses/train, 3 trains, a frequency strongly modifying synaptic strength, induced a significantly smaller LTP when DL-propranolol was administered into area CA1. Accordingly, DL-propranolol impaired the spatial learning in the water maze when infused into area CA1 20 min pretraining. Compared with control rats, the DL-propranolol-treated rats showed significantly slower learning in the water maze and subsequently exhibited poor memory retention at 24-h test. These results suggest that β-adrenoceptors in area CA1 are involved in regulating in vivo synaptic plasticity of this area and are important for spatial learning.     

β-adrenergic modulation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vivo</Emphasis> long-term potentiation in area CA1 and its role in spatial learning in rats

Activation of β-adrenoceptors in area CA1 of the hippocampus facilitates in vitro long-term potentiation (LTP) in this region. However, it is unclear if in vivo LTP in area CA1 and hippocampus-dependent learning are subjected to β-adrenergic regulation. To address this question, we investigated the effects of the β-adrenergic agonist L-isoproterenol or antagonist DL-propranolol on in vivo LTP of area CA1 and the spatial learning in Morris water maze. In the presence of L-isoproterenol (through local infusion into area CA1), the theta-pulse stimulation with the parameter of 10 Hz, 150 pulses/train, 1 train, a frequency weakly modifying synaptic strength, induced a robust LTP, and this effect was blocked when DL-propranolol was co-administered. By contrast, the theta-pulse stimulation with the parameter of 5 Hz, 150 pulses/train, 3 trains, a frequency strongly modifying synaptic strength, induced a significantly smaller LTP when DL-propranolol was administered into area CA1. Accordingly, DL-propranolol impaired the spatial learning in the water maze when infused into area CA1 20 min pretraining. Compared with control rats, the DL-propranolol-treated rats showed significantly slower learning in the water maze and subsequently exhibited poor memory retention at 24-h test. These results suggest that β-adrenoceptors in area CA1 are involved in regulating in vivo synaptic plasticity of this area and are important for spatial learning.     

Thalidomide attenuates learning and memory deficits induced by intracerebroventricular administration of streptozotocin in rats

Abstract

Neuroinflammatory responses caused by amyloid β (Aβ) peptide deposits are involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Thalidomide has a significant anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting TNF-α, which plays role in Aβ neurotoxicity. We investigated the effect of thalidomide on AD-like cognitive deficits caused by intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Intraperitoneal thalidomide was administered 1 h before the first dose of STZ and continued for 21 days. Learning and memory behavior was evaluated on days 17, 18 and 19, and the rats were sacrificed on day 21 to examine histopathological changes. STZ injection caused a significant decrease in the mean escape latency in passive avoidance and decreased improvement of performance in Morris water maze tests. Histopathological changes were examined using hematoxylin-eosin and Bielschowsky staining. Brain sections of STZ treated rats showed increased neurodegeneration and disturbed linear arrangement of cells in the cortical area compared to controls. Thalidomide treatment attenuated significantly STZ induced cognitive impairment and histopathological changes. Thalidomide appears to provide neuroprotection from the memory deficits and neuronal damage induced by STZ.     

Animals lacking endothelin-converting enzyme-2 are deficient in learning and memory

Endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE)-2 is a metalloprotease that possesses many properties consistent with it being a neuropeptide-processing enzyme. This protease is found primarily in neural tissues, with high levels of expression in midbrain, cerebellum, hypothalamus, frontal cortex and spinal cord and moderate levels in hippocampus and striatum. To evaluate its role in neural function, mice have been generated lacking this enzyme. Physical appearance, autonomic reflexes, motor co-ordination, balance, locomotor activity and spontaneous emotional responses appear normal in these knockout (KO) mice. However, these mutants display deficits in learning and memory as evidenced by marked impairment in the Morris water maze. Knockout mice are also deficient in object recognition memory where they show delays in discerning changes in object location and in recognizing the introduction of a novel object. In this study, perseveration appears to interfere with learning and memory. Finally, mutants are impaired in social transmission of food preference where they show poor short-term memory and perturbations in long-term memory; the latter can be ameliorated by reminder cues. As ECE-2 has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease, the deficits in learning and memory in the KO mice may provide unique insights into processes that may contribute to this disease and possible other disorders of cognition.     

连翘酯苷对拟AD复合动物模型小鼠学习记忆的改善作用及其机制研究

目的以β淀粉样蛋白损伤自然衰老小鼠建立一种新的复合式老年痴呆(AD)小鼠模型,观察连翘酯苷对复合模型学习记忆障碍的改善作用,并对其机制进行初步探讨。方法采用14月龄C57BL/6小鼠侧脑室注射Aβ25-35形成拟AD复合模型;Morris水迷宫实验观察小鼠学习记忆能力,实验结束取小鼠脑组织用放射免疫分析法检测TNF-α及IL-1的含量;Western blot方法检测GFAP蛋白表达,化学比色法测定ChAT、AchE、SOD酶活性及MDA的含量。结果水迷宫实验中连翘酯苷组可显著改善小鼠的学习记忆能力(P<0.05)。作用机制研究发现:连翘酯苷能降低TNF-α、IL-1的含量(P<0.05),抑制GFAP蛋白表达。提高ChAT、SOD酶活力,降低AchE活性及MDA的含量(P<0.05,P<0.01)。结论连翘酯苷对拟AD复合动物模型学习记忆的改善作用可能与抑制脑内炎症反应,调节胆碱能系统,抗氧化作用等有关。     

慢性复合应激对大鼠学习和记忆及海马神经元神经颗粒素表达的影响

目的探讨慢性复合应激对大鼠学习和记忆功能及海马内神经元神经颗粒素(neurogranin,Ng)表达的影响。方法成年雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为对照组和复合应激组,复合应激组动物每天无规律交替暴露于复合应激原环境中,为期6周。应激结束后,用Morris水迷宫测试大鼠空间学习和记忆成绩,同时用免疫组织化学方法观察海马各亚区Ng表达的变化,并用RT-PCR技术分析各组大鼠海马Ng mRNA水平的变化。结果Morris水迷宫测试显示,应激组动物寻找隐蔽平台潜伏期明显短于对照组(P<0.05);应激组大鼠海马DG和CA3区Ng的蛋白表达水平明显高于对照组(P<0.05),而两组海马CA1区的Ng的免疫反应性无明显差别;与对照组相比,应激组动物的Ng mRNA水平亦明显上调(P<0.05)。结论慢性复合性应激大鼠的学习与记忆能力增强;Ng在海马中的表达和Ng mRNA转录水平增高,提示Ng参与了该增强机制。     

ESP-102, a standardized combined extract of Angelica gigas, Saururus chinensis and Schizandra chinensis, significantly improved scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice

We assessed the effects of oral treatments of ESP-102, a standardized combined extract of Angelica gigas, Saururus chinensis and Schizandra chinensis, on learning and memory deficit. The cognition-enhancing effect of ESP-102 was investigated in scopolamine-induced (1 mg/kg body weight, s.c.) amnesic mice with both passive avoidance and Morris water maze performance tests. Acute oral treatment (single administration prior to scopolamine treatment) of mice with ESP-102 (doses in the range of 10 to 100 mg/kg body weight) significantly reduced scopolamine-induced memory deficits in the passive avoidance performance test. Another noteworthy result included the fact that prolonged oral daily treatments of mice with much lower amounts of ESP-102 (1 and 10 mg/kg body weight) for ten days reversed scopolamine-induced memory deficits. In the Morris water maze performance test, both acute and prolonged oral treatments with ESP-102 (single administration of 100 mg/kg body weight or prolonged daily administration of 1 and 10 mg/kg body weight for ten days, respectively, significantly ameliorated scopolamine-induced memory deficits as indicated by the formation of long-term and/or short-term spatial memory. In addition, we investigated the effects of ESP-102 on neurotoxicity induced by amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta25-35) or glutamate in primary cultured cortical neurons of rats. Pretreatment of cultures with ESP-102 (0.001, 0.01 and 0.1 mug/ml) significantly protected neurons from neurotoxicity induced by either glutamate or Abeta25-35. These results suggest that ESP-102 may have some protective characteristics against neuronal cell death and cognitive impairments often observed in Alzheimer's disease, stroke, ischemic injury and other neurodegenerative diseases.