[Influence of beta-amyloid protein and cholesterol on the pathological changes of Alzheimer's disease and expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in rats].
OBJECTIVE
To study the influence of beta-amyloid protein (Abeta) and cholesterol on the pathological changes of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and on the expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits in the brains of rats.


METHODS
The rats were treated by intracerebroventricular injection of Abeta1-42 and fed with a diet containing 5% cholesterol to establish animal model of AD. The pathological changes, learning and memory, and expression of nAChRs of rats were analyzed by Bieoschowsky staining, immunohistochemistry, water-labyrinth, Western blot, and RT-PCR.


RESULTS
Abeta intracerebroventricular injection induced Abeta deposition in rat brains and high-cholesterol diet resulted in hypercholesterolemia in the animals. Injection of Abeta caused a reduction of learning and memory of rats and modifications of the expression of nAChRs. Cholesterol enhanced these effects of Abeta on neuropathology and expression of nAChRs.


CONCLUSIONS
Abeta can induce marked neuropathological changes, influence the learning and study ability, and modify the expression of nAChRs. Cholesterol can enhance the neurotoxicity of Abeta.
Liu
Ru-yu
RY
Department of Pathology, Guiyang Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China.
Gu
Ran
R
Qi
Xiao-lan
XL
Chen
Jia
J
Liu
Jia-liu
JL
Guan
Zhi-zhong
ZZ
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; C075222:amyloid beta-protein (1-42); D002784:Cholesterol