Aluminum modulates brain amyloidosis through oxidative stress in APP transgenic mice

FASEB J. 2002 Jul;16(9):1138-40. doi: 10.1096/fj.02-0012fje. Epub 2002 May 21.

Abstract

Epidemiological studies have implicated aluminum (Al) exposure in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, other studies have failed to confirm these results. Oxidative stress is a feature of AD, and Al can exacerbate oxidative events. This biological property has been suggested as a possible mechanism by which this metal could influence the onset and/or evolution of the disease. To test this hypothesis, we fed transgenic mice that over express human amyloid precursor protein (Tg2576) with a diet enriched in Al and measured isoprostane levels, sensitive and specific markers of in vivo oxidative stress, as well as amyloid b peptide formation and deposition. Here, we show an increase in brain isoprostane levels that correlated with increased amyloid b levels and accelerated plaque deposition in Tg2576 mice but not in wild-type (WT) littermates fed with high dietary Al. Significantly, these in vivo effects of Al were reversed by vitamin E, as judged by a reduction of isoprostane production, amyloid b levels, and plaque deposition. These results indicate that dietary Al can modulate in vivo AD-like amyloidosis in Tg2576 by increasing brain oxidative stress.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Aluminum / administration & dosage
  • Aluminum / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Aluminum / toxicity*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / biosynthesis
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / genetics*
  • Amyloidosis / etiology*
  • Amyloidosis / metabolism
  • Amyloidosis / pathology
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Brain
  • Brain Diseases / etiology*
  • Brain Diseases / metabolism
  • Brain Diseases / pathology
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Models, Biological
  • Oxidative Stress* / drug effects
  • Peptide Fragments / biosynthesis
  • Vitamin E / pharmacology

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor
  • Antioxidants
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Vitamin E
  • Aluminum