Effects of Yizhi Tiaoshen acupuncture on learning and memory function and the expression of phosphorylated tau protein in the hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease model rats / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of Yizhi Tiaoshen (benefiting mental health and regulating the spirit) acupuncture on learning and memory function, and the expression of phosphorylated tubulin-associated unit (tau) protein in the hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease (AD) model rats, and explore the effect mechanism of this therapy on AD.@*METHODS@#A blank group and a sham-operation group were randomly selected from 60 male SD rats, 10 rats in each one. AD models were established in the rest 40 rats by the intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose and okadaic acid in the CA1 region of the bilateral hippocampus. Thirty successfully-replicated model rats were randomly divided into a model group, a western medication group and an acupuncture group, 10 rats in each one. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied to "Baihui" (GV 20), "Sishencong" (EX-HN 1), "Neiguan" (PC 6), "Shenmen" (HT 7), "Xuanzhong" (GB 39) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6); and the needles were retained for 10 min. Acupuncture was given once daily. One course of treatment was composed of 6 days, with the interval of 1 day; the completion of treatment included 4 courses. In the western medication group, donepezil hydrochloride solution (0.45 mg/kg) was administrated intragastrically, once daily; it took 7 days to accomplish one course of treatment and a completion of intervention was composed of 4 courses. Morris water maze (MWM) and novel object recognition test (NORT) were used to assess the learning and memory function of the rats. Using HE staining and Nissl staining, the morphological structure of the hippocampus was observed. With Western blot adopted, the protein expression of the tau, phosphorylated tau protein at Ser198 (p-tau Ser198), protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) in the hippocampus was detected.@*RESULTS@#There were no statistical differences in all of the indexes between the sham-operation group and the blank group. Compared with the sham-operation group, in the model group, the MWM escape latency was prolonged (P<0.05), the crossing frequency and the quadrant stay time in original platform were shortened (P<0.05), and the NORT discrimination index (DI) was reduced (P<0.05); the hippocampal cell numbers were declined and the cells arranged irregularly, the hippocampal neuronal structure was abnormal and the numbers of Nissl bodies decreased; the protein expression of p-tau Ser198 and GSK-3βwas increased (P<0.05) and that of PP2A decreased (P<0.05). When compared with the model group, in the western medication group and the acupuncture group, the MWM escape latency was shortened (P<0.05), the crossing frequency and the quadrant stay time in original platform were increased (P<0.05), and DI got higher (P<0.05); the hippocampal cell numbers were elevated and the cells arranged regularly, the damage of hippocampal neuronal structure was attenuated and the numbers of Nissl bodies were increased; the protein expression of p-tau Ser198 and GSK-3β was reduced (P<0.05) and that of PP2A was increased (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the above indexes between the acupuncture group and the western medication group (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture therapy of "benefiting mental health and regulating the spirit" could improve the learning and memory function and alleviate neuronal injure of AD model rats. The effect mechanism of this therapy may be related to the down-regulation of GSK-3β and the up-regulation of PP2A in the hippocampus, and then to inducing the inhibition of tau protein phosphorylation.

Proteína tau como biomarcador en Alzheimer preclínico / Tau protein as a biomarker in preclinical Alzheimer's disease

El desarrollo de biomarcadores de la proteína tau para el diagnóstico temprano de la enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA) emerge como un desafío fundamental, pudiendo mejorar la efectividad de un tratamiento preventivo o que enlentezca la progresión de la enfermedad. Esta revisión analiza las evidencias que justificarían el uso de la proteína tau como biomarcador en Alzheimer preclínico. Para esto se seleccionaron artículos científicos (2011-2021) que incluyeran a la proteína tau en plasma y plaquetas como biomarcador. La presencia de la proteína tau fosforilada en el líquido cefalorraquídeo presenta limitaciones por su carácter invasivo mientras que las técnicas de imagen son costosas. La medición de tau en plaquetas se correlaciona con la severidad de la demencia, y sería útil en el seguimiento de la EA. Sin embargo, la pertinencia de su uso en la detección temprana de EA se mantiene en discusión. La presencia de proteína tau fosforilada en plasma correspondería al biomarcador con mayor nivel de desarrollo, respecto de beta amiloide. La proteína tau plasmática detecta la EA con gran precisión en casos de demencia y ha sido validada por estudios neuropatológicos. p-tau217 plasmática medida por primera vez junto a técnicas de imagen, fue importante en la etapa preclínica de EA pudiendo predecir la formación de ovillos neurofibrilares. La correlación entre especies fosforiladas de tau en plasma y EA preclínica ha sido bien establecida, por lo que su uso como biomarcador podría ser de utilidad para la comprensión del proceso fisiopatológico de la neurodegeneración y la detección temprana de EA

The development of tau protein biomarkers for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) emerges as a fundamental challenge, which may improve the effectiveness of preventive treatment or slow the progression of the disease. This review analyzes the evidence that would justify the use of tau protein as a biomarker in preclinical Alzheimer's disease. For this purpose, we selected scientific articles (2011-2021) that included tau protein in plasma and platelets as a biomarker. Phosphorylated tau protein in cerebrospinal fluid has limitations due to its invasiveness, while imaging techniques are expensive. The tau measurement in platelets correlates with the severity of dementia and would be helpful in the follow-up of AD. However, the relevance of its use in the early detection of AD remains under discussion. Plasma phosphorylated tau protein would correspond to the biomarker with the highest level of development for beta-amyloid. Plasma tau protein detects AD with high accuracy in cases of dementia, and neuropathological studies validate its use. Plasma p-tau217 measured for the first time with imaging techniques was important in preclinical AD and could predict the formation of neurofibrillary tangles. The correlation between plasma phosphorylated tau species and preclinical AD is well-established, so its use as a biomarker would help understand the pathophysiological process of neurodegeneration and early AD detection.

Changes in expression of Tau protein and phosphorylated Tau protein in neurons after spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective:To explore the changes in the expression of Tau protein and phosphorylated Tau (p-Tau) protein in neurons after spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury (SCII).Methods:Ninety-six healthy adult SD rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group ( n=48) and a SCII group ( n=48). Based on the reperfusion time of 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h, the SCII group was divided into 6 subgroups ( n=8 per subgroup). Immunohistochemical staining was used to observe the apoptosis of spinal cord neurons in the L 4-L 5 segments and the expression of Tau protein and p-Tau protein. Results:In the sham operation group, the neuron cells were intact, mainly concentrated in the gray matter. Tau protein was seen in a small number of neuron cells, and a small amount of filamentous p-Tau protein in the pernucleus and cytoplasm. There was no significant difference between Tau protein and p-Tau protein expression in neurons at each time point ( P>0.05). In the SCII group, scattered Tau protein was seen in the apoptotic cells while there was a strong positive expression of Tau protein in the non-apoptotic cells. The expression of Tau protein in the SCII group gradually increased after injury, reaching a peak at 48h and plateauing at 72 h, and was significantly different between any 2 time points (except for 72 h) ( P<0.05). In the SCII group, the positive expression of p-Tau protein was observed in the cytoplasm of the apoptotic cells in strips and sheets. It increased rapidly within 6 h but did not change significantly after 6 h, showing no significant difference between any 2 time points afterwards ( P>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the expression of Tau protein and p-Tau protein between the SCII group and the sham operation group at each time point ( P<0.05). Conclusion:It is hopeful to reduce the severity of spinal cord injury by regulating the expression of Tau protein and p-Tau protein within 6 to 48 hours after SCII.

Effect of early intervention of electroacupuncture on learning-memory ability and level of hippocampal phosphorylated Tau protein in SAMP8 mice / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effect of early intervention electroacupuncture (EA) at "Baihui" (GV 20), "Dazhui" (GV 14) and "Shenshu" (BL 23) on the learning-memory ability and the expression of phosphorylated Tau protein in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice, so as to provide reference for the intervening period of EA for Alzheimer's disease (AD).@*METHODS@#A total of 36 3-month old SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into a model group, a 3-month-old EA group and a 9-month-old EA group, 12 mice in each group. Twelve normal SAMR1 mice with the same age were taken as the control group. The mice in the 3-month-old EA group and 9-month-old EA group were treated with EA at "Baihui" (GV 20), "Dazhui" (GV 14) and "Shenshu" (BL 23) separately 3 months old and 9 months old (continuous wave, 2 Hz, 1.5-2 mA), 20 min each time, once a day, 8 days as a course of treatment, with an interval of 2 days between courses, totally 3 courses of treatment were given. The mice sample in each group was collected at the age of 10 months after the learning-memory ability tested by Morris water maze. The expression of phosphorylated Tau protein in the hippocampus was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot, and the expression of Tau mRNA was detected by real-time PCR.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, in the model group, the escape latency was significantly increased (<0.01), the time of stay in the original platform quadrant and the number of crossing the platform quadrant were reduced (<0.01), and the expressions of phosphorylated Tau protein and Tau mRNA in hippocampus were increased (<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the 3-month-old EA group and 9-month-old EA group, the escape latency was significantly reduced (<0.05), the time of stay in the original platform quadrant and the number of crossing the platform quadrant were increased (<0.05), and the expressions of phosphorylated Tau protein and Tau mRNA in hippocampus were reduced (<0.05). Compared with the 9-month-old EA group, in the 3-month-old EA group, the escape latency was significantly reduced (<0.05), the time of stay in the original platform quadrant and the number of crossing the platform quadrant were increased (<0.05), and the expressions of phosphorylated Tau protein and Tau mRNA were reduced (<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#The early EA intervention could more effectively improve the learning-memory ability and inhibit phosphorylation of Tau protein in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice.

The protective effect of rapamycin on beta-amyloid protein 25-35-induced PC12 cells death / 医学研究生学报

Objective Rapamycin can improve characteristic pathology of AD by improving the level of autophagy.But, its internal mechanism still needs further study.This study was aimed to observe the protective effect of Rapamycin (RAPA) on the injury of rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells induced by β-amyloid protein25-35 (Aβ25-35).Methods PC12 cells in the logarithmic phase were randomly divided into 5 groups: control group(similar free-serum DMEM), model group, 10μmol/L RAPA treated group, 40μmol/L RAPA treated group and 160μmol/L RAPA treated group(add 10μmol/L, 40μmol/L RAPA, 160μmol/L respectively).Except the control group, each group was cultured with 20μmol/L Aβ25-35 to established the cell injury model.Results ①Compared with the survival rate of cells[(51.47±2.59)%] and the apoptosis rate of cells[(52.22±2.33)%] of the model group,the survival rate of cells in 10、40、160μmol/L RAPA treated groups and control group[(54.64±2.42)%, (64.79±2.91)% ,(56.50±2.55)% and (99.98±0.73)%] significantly increased, but the apoptosis rate of cells [(45.33±2.83)%, (36.89±2.85)%, (48.00±2.83)% and (3.33±2.45)%] significantly decreased(All P<0.05).②In model group,the expressions of p-PKB is 0.33±0.01, p-mTOR is 1.97±0.05, p-tau is 2.09±0.19.Compared with model group, in 10、40、160μmol/L RAPA treated groups and control group,these expressions of p-PKB (0.37±0.01, 0.42±0.01, 0.40±0.01 and 0.44±0.02) were significantly increased, however p-mTOR (1.64±0.05, 0.66±0.04, 0.35±0.01 and 0.62±0.01) and p-tau (2.02±0.15, 1.79±0.05, 1.86±0.06 and1.53±0.04) were decreased(All, P<0.05).ConclusionRAPA can increase Aβ25-35-induced PC12 cells viability, decrease cells apoptosis rates, and have a protective effect on Aβ25-35-induced PC12 cells death.The mechanism of its protective effect may be related to the inhibition of mTOR regulating PI3K/PKB/mTOR signal transduction pathway by negative feedback and the reduction of tau protein hyperphosphorylation.

Effect of Propofol on Expression of Phosphorylated Tau Protein and Beta-amyloid(1-42) Protein in Hippocampus of Offspring Rat / 医药导报

Objective To study the effects of propofol exposure during pregnancy on space cognitive and exploration abilities and expression of phosphorylated tau protein ( P-tau) and beta-amyloid protein[ Aβ(1-42) ] in hippocampus of the offspring. Methods Sprague-Dawley female (n=24) and male rats (n=8) of three months old were mated at the same cage at the ratio of 3:1. Pregnant rats were randomly divided into early group (group E), medium group (group M), late group (group L) and control group ( group C) , with 6 rats in each group. Groups E, M and L received propofol 80 mg · kg-1 · d-1 for 7 consecutive days. Propofol was replaced with equal volume of physiological saline in group C. Learning and memory of the 30-day offspring rats were assessed by using Morris water maze test. Then offspring rats were sacrificed to determine the expression of P-tau and Aβ(1-42) in the hippocampus by ELISA and immunohistochemistry. Results The learning and memory abilities were declined significantly in group E (51. 20±8. 11) s, group M (36. 00±6. 44) s and group L (47. 20±12. 30) s, as compared with group C (65. 60± 7. 23) s (all P<0. 05). The result of immunohistochemistry and ELISA showed that expression of Aβ(1-42) and P-tau in hippocampus was significantly higher in group M than in groups E, L and C[(immunohistochemistry: Aβ(1-42), (27. 38±5. 90) vs. (12. 65± 2. 08), (13. 79±3. 37), and (65. 60±7. 23); P-tau, (26. 35±5. 83) vs. (13. 65±3. 46), (14. 56±3. 82), and (8. 49±1. 20);ELISA:Aβ(1-42) , (88. 6±7. 43) vs. (71. 60±6. 79), (13. 79±3. 37), and (65. 80±6. 28);P-tau, (230. 13±8. 22) vs. (210. 42± 2.20), (210.95±1. 75), and (200. 65±1. 57)] (all P<0.05). Conclusion Multiple propofol injections may impair rat offspring’ s space cognitive abilities and exploration abilities, and the impairment is especially obvious in second trimester of pregnancy, which may be associated with over-expression of P-tau and Aβ(1-42) .

Effects of neuropeptide Y gene transfection on seizure in rat and the expression of phosphorylated Tau protein in the rat hippocampus / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To discuss the effect of gene transfection of rAAV2/1-NPY-EGFP on KA-induced rat seizures,EEG and the expression of hippocampal phosphorylated Tau protein.Methods Altogether 72 healthy male Wistar adult rats were randomly divided into three groups:control group,KA group and NPY group(n=24).The epileptic models were established by the injection of KA 2 μl (0.4 μg/μl) five times to the right side of the hippocampus CA3 area every three days.rAAV2/1-NPY-EGFP group,in which 10 μl of rAAV2/1-NPY-EGFP (titer 5× 1011 v.g./ml) was injected to the lateral ventricle in successful rats chronic model,while KA group was injected with an equal dose of saline.The control group was injected with an equal dose of saline both in the hippocampal CA3 area and the lateral ventricle.The seizure situation,the onset latency and EEG were observed at 2 weeks and 4 weeks after vector injection.Then the expression of phosphorylated Tau protein in hippocampus were detected with Western blotting.Results (1) Scale and latency of each seizure onset in rats of rAAV2/1-NPY-EGFP group (12.13 ± 8.06) had no significant difference at 2 weeks (P＞ 0.05) compared with KA group (12.10± 8.07).The scale of seizure in rats of rAAV2/1-NPY-EGFP group(6.06±3.78) significantly reduced at 4 weeks(P ＜0.05).Latency of seizure onset (79.06±8.83min) significantly increased at 4 weeks(P＜0.05),EEG epileptic discharge frequency and wave amplitude decreased (P＜ 0.05) at 4 weeks.The control group had no seizures.(2)Compared with the control group,the expression of phosphorylated Tau protein in KA group and NPY group significantly increased(P＜0.05) at 2 weeks and 4 weeks,and the expression of phosphorylated Tau protein in the NPY group (1.15±0.16 RQ value) at 4 weeks significantly decreased (P＜0.05) compared with the KA group(1.87± 0.23 RQ value).Conclusion rAAV2/1-NPY-EGFP gene transfection significantly reduces scale of seizure onset and prolongs latency of seizure onset in KA-induced rat model.rAAV2/1-NPY-EGFP gene transfection may play anti-epileptic and neuroprotective effects through inhibiting the expression of phosphorylated Tau protein in hippocampus of KA-induced epileptic rat model.

Effects and mechanisms of chloro-oxime derivatives on spatial learning and memory dysfunction in two dementia animal models / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the effects and mecha-nisms of choro-oxime derivatives on spatial learning and memory impairment in Kunming mice and SD rats induced by scopolamine and Aβ1-42 , respectively. Methods 40 Kunming mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: control group, model group, donepezil treatment group, arimoclomol treatment group and TCO-2 treatment group. There were 8 mice in each group. Mice of control group were established by intra-peritoneal injection of saline, and mice of other groups were injected with scopolamine and caused memory im-pairment. Both control group and model group were treated with solvent by intraperitoneal administration;donepezil treatment group received donepezil by intra-gastric administration; arimoclomol treatment group and TCO-2 treatment group were given the correspond-ing drugs by abdominal injection, respectively. The solvent and drugs were given at the same time every morning for 8 days. Spatial learning and memory abili-ty were tested by Morris water maze from the fifth day of the drugs administration. 40 SD rats were divided into 5 groups the same as the dementia model men-tioned above. Mice of control group were established by intracerebroventricular injection of saline, and mice of other groups were injected with insoluble Aβ1-42 to be induced of memory impairment. Solvent and drugs were also delivered as mentioned above. Morris water maze was carried out from the fifth day of the drug de-livery. After that, acetyl cholinesterase activity of hip-pocampus was tested with acetyl cholinesterase reagent kit; the content of Aβ1-42 in hippocampus was meas-ured by ELISA assay kit;the expression of phosphoryl-ated tau proteins was detected by Western Blot. Re-sults In both two dementia models, choro-oxime de-rivatives could improve the spatial learning and memory ability, shorten the escape latency and increase the times of crossing the former platform. Choro-oxime de-rivatives could also inhibit the acetyl cholinesterase ac-tivity in animal brain, decrease the concentration of Aβ1-42 and the expression of phosphorylated tau pro-teins in the dementia rats’ hippocampus. Conclusions Spatial learning and memory deficits induced by sco-polamine and Aβ1-42 could be reversed by choro-oxime derivatives. It may be concerned with enhancement of the cholinergic system functions and reduction of the levels of Aβ1-42 and phosphorylated tau proteins in the brain.

Microtubule proteins and their post-translational forms in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with paraparesis associated with HTLV-I infection and in SH-SY5Y cells: An in vitro model of HTLV-I-induced disease

HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is characterized by axonal degeneration of the corticospinal tracts. The specific requirements for transport of proteins and organelles to the distal part of the long axon are crucial in the corticospinal tracts. Microtubule dysfunction could beinvolved in this disease, configuring an axonal transport disease. We measured tubulin and its posttranslational modified forms (acetylated and tyrosinated) in CSF of patients and controls, as well as tau and its phosphorylated forms. There were no significant differences in the contents of tubulin and acetyl-tubulinbetween patients and controls; tyrosyl-tubulin was not detected. In HAM/TSP, tau levels were significantly reduced, while the ratio of pT181/total tau was higher in patients than in controls, this being completely different from what is reported in other neurodegenerative diseases. Phosphorylation at T181 was also confirmed by Mass Spectrometry analysis. Western Blotting with monospecific polyclonal antibodies against pS199, pT205, pT231, pS262, pS356, pS396, pS404 and pS422 did not show differences in phosphorylation in these residues between patients and controls. Treating human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, a well-known in vitro neurite retraction model, with culture supernatant of MT-2 cells (HTLV-I infected cell line that secretes theviral Tax protein) we observed neurite retraction and an increase in tau phosphorylation at T181. A disruptionof normal phosphorylation of tau protein in T181 could result in its dysfunction, contributing to axonal damage.