Effects of estrogen on P-Tau, ChAT and nerve growth factor protein expressions in the brain tissue of rats with Alzheimer's disease.
- Author:
Yue HUAGN
1
;
Yu-ming XU
;
Jie-wen ZHANG
;
Xiu-hua REN
;
Ai-qin SUO
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Alzheimer Disease; metabolism; pathology; Animals; Brain; drug effects; metabolism; Disease Models, Animal; Estradiol; pharmacology; Male; Nerve Growth Factors; metabolism; Neurons; metabolism; Phosphorylation; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; tau Proteins; metabolism
- From: Journal of Southern Medical University 2010;30(10):2408-2410
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo examine the effect of estrogen on the expressions of phosphorylated Tau (P-Tau), ChAT and nerve growth factor (NGF) protein in the brain tissue of rat models of Alzheimer disease (AD).
METHODSRat models of AD were established by injecting Aβ1-42 protein fragments in the right lateral ventricle. Two weeks later, 17β-estradiol tablets were implanted subcutaneously at the neck of the rats and maintained for 30 days. The pathological changes in the rats' brain neurons and alterations in the expressions of P-Tau, ChAT and NGF proteins were observed using HE staining and immunohistochemistry, respectively.
RESULTSIn the AD rats, neurofibrillary tangles occurred in the brain tissue, and estrogen treatment significantly reduced the formation of neurofibrillary tangles. Estrogen treatment also resulted in lowered P-Tau expression and increased ChAT and NGF protein expressions in comparison with those in the AD model rats.
CONCLUSIONEstrogen can up-regulate ChAT and NGF and down-regulate tau protein expression, thus producing obvious therapeutic effect on AD in rats.
