title: The effect of beta-amyloid on neurons and the influence of glucocorticoid and age on such effect.
abstract: To explore the relationship between beta-amyloid (A beta) and the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease (AD), after injection of beta-amyloid into the rat brain, the apoptosis of nerve cells and acetylcholine (Ach) content in rat hippocampus were examined by employing TUNEL technique and base hydroxylamine colorimetry respectively. The influence of age and glucocorticoid on the neurotoxic effect of A beta was also analyzed. A beta peptide could strongly induce the apoptosis of neurons in hippocampus, cortex and striate body (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). In addition, the senility and glucocorticoid pre-treatment could enhance the toxic effect of A beta (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). It is concluded that A beta may play an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease via its induction of apoptosis of neurons and by decreasing the content of the Ach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Wuhan Psychiatric Hospital, University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030.
authors.forename: Honghui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Shenggang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Yuanwu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mei
authors.forename: Changqin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Anqiu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Etang
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tong
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism; D000375:Aging; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000209:etiology; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000109:Acetylcholine