Brain Aging and AD-Like Pathology in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Autor: Jian-Qin Wang, Jie Yin, Yan-Feng Song, Lang Zhang, Ying-Xiang Ren, De-Gui Wang, Li-Ping Gao, Yu-Hong Jing
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2014
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of Diabetes Research, Vol 2014 (2014)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2314-6745
2314-6753
DOI: 10.1155/2014/796840
Popis: Objective. Numerous epidemiological studies have linked diabetes mellitus (DM) with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, whether or not diabetic encephalopathy shows AD-like pathology remains unclear. Research Design and Methods. Forebrain and hippocampal volumes were measured using stereology in serial coronal sections of the brain in streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced rats. Neurodegeneration in the frontal cortex, hypothalamus, and hippocampus was evaluated using Fluoro-Jade C (FJC). Aβ aggregation in the frontal cortex and hippocampus was tested using immunohistochemistry and ELISA. Dendritic spine density in the frontal cortex and hippocampus was measured using Golgi staining, and western blot was conducted to detect the levels of synaptophysin. Cognitive ability was evaluated through the Morris water maze and inhibitory avoidant box. Results. Rats are characterized by insulin deficiency accompanied with polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria, and weight loss after STZ injection. The number of FJC-positive cells significantly increased in discrete brain regions of the diabetic rats compared with the age-matched control rats. Hippocampal atrophy, Aβ aggregation, and synapse loss were observed in the diabetic rats compared with the control rats. The learning and memory of the diabetic rats decreased compared with those of the age-matched control rats. Conclusions. Our results suggested that aberrant metabolism induced brain aging as characterized by AD-like pathologies.
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