OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Tonifying Shen recipe (TSR) on advanced glycation end products (AGEPs), amyloid-beta peptide (A beta P) in telencephalon and hippocampus of ovariectomized rats.

METHODSFemale SD rats, 9 months old, were randomly divided into 3 groups: the sham operation (Sh) group, the ovariectomized (OV) group and the TSR group. Medication via gastrogavage 4 weeks was given after ovariectomy consecutively for 16 weeks. Competitive ELISA and radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to detect AGEPs and A beta P level in rats' telencephalon and hippocampus; florescent assay was used to determine the serum and urinary soluble AGE-peptide level; and also the rats' behavioral alteration and hippocampal morphological change were observed.

RESULTSCompared with those in the Sh group, the correct escape rate in the OV group was significantly lower (P < 0.05), content of A beta P in telencephalon and serum soluble AGE-peptide levels significantly higher (P < 0.05), contents of AGEPs in telencephalon and hippocampal tissue showed an increased tendency, but without significance (P > 0.05), argyrophil stain showed that nerve fiber thickened, senile plaques appeared in temporal cortex. In the TSR group after treatment, contents of AGEPs in telencephalon, A beta P in telencephalon and hippocampus significantly decreased (P < 0.05), the urinary soluble AGE-peptide level significantly increased (P < 0.05) and with markedly improvement of learning memory capability and above-mentioned pathological changes.

CONCLUSIONTSR could reduce the accumulation of AGEPs in telencephalon and the contents of A beta P in telencephalon and hippocampal tissue, and improve the impaired ability of learning and memory caused by lack of estrogen. Its mechanism might be based on the elevation in excretion of AGE-peptide via kidney.