[Influence of beta-amyloid protein and cholesterol on the pathological changes of Alzheimer's disease and expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in rats]

Zhonghua Bing Li Xue Za Zhi. 2007 Mar;36(3):184-9.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Objective: To study the influence of beta-amyloid protein (Abeta) and cholesterol on the pathological changes of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and on the expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits in the brains of rats.

Method: The rats were treated by intracerebroventricular injection of Abeta1-42 and fed with a diet containing 5% cholesterol to establish animal model of AD. The pathological changes, learning and memory, and expression of nAChRs of rats were analyzed by Bieoschowsky staining, immunohistochemistry, water-labyrinth, Western blot, and RT-PCR.

Results: Abeta intracerebroventricular injection induced Abeta deposition in rat brains and high-cholesterol diet resulted in hypercholesterolemia in the animals. Injection of Abeta caused a reduction of learning and memory of rats and modifications of the expression of nAChRs. Cholesterol enhanced these effects of Abeta on neuropathology and expression of nAChRs.

Conclusions: Abeta can induce marked neuropathological changes, influence the learning and study ability, and modify the expression of nAChRs. Cholesterol can enhance the neurotoxicity of Abeta.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / chemically induced
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology*
  • Alzheimer Disease / physiopathology
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cerebral Cortex / metabolism
  • Cerebral Cortex / pathology*
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Drug Synergism
  • Female
  • Hypercholesterolemia / blood
  • Learning / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Random Allocation
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / biosynthesis*
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / genetics

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Peptide Fragments
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Nicotinic
  • amyloid beta-protein (1-42)
  • Cholesterol