[Effect of TX0201 on expression of the apoptosis signal transduction molecule caspase-3 and apoptosis associated genes bcl-2 and bax mRNA in brain tissue of rat analogue model of Alzheimer's disease].
OBJECTIVE
To study the mechanism of TX0201, an effective fraction extracted from Tiaoxin recipe in regulating apoptosis associated genes in brain tissue of rat analogue model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) induced by beta-amyloid protein 25-35 (Abeta 25-35).


METHODS
The model of AD was induced by bilateral amygdala injection of Abeta 25-35 to study the spatial memory capacity using Morris water maze test, and by means of RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry assay, the expressions of beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP), apoptosis correlative genes (bcl-2, bax), and apoptosis signal transduction molecule (Caspase-3) in the brain, and the effect of TX0201 on expressions of these genes were examined.


RESULTS
In AD model group, the spatial capacity was damaged significantly. Caspase-3 and the expression of APP mRNA and bax/bcl-2 mRNA were increased in the cortex and hippocampus; TX0201 ameliorated all the pathologic changes mentioned above.


CONCLUSIONS
TX0201 could improve the oriented learning and memory capacity in AD rats by decreasing bax/bcl-2 and down-regulating Caspase-3 to reduce neurocyte apoptosis, suggesting that effective regulation of neuron apoptosis associated genes may be one of the mechanisms of TX0201.
Institute of Geriatrics, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032. dr.yangge@yahoo.com.cn
Ge
G
Yang
Shui-miao
SM
Lin
Wei-kang
WK
Zhao
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D053148:Caspase 3