Arginine vasopressin prevents against Abeta(25-35)-induced impairment of spatial learning and memory in rats.
Amyloid beta protein (Abeta) is thought to be responsible for loss of memory in Alzheimer's disease (AD). A significant decrease in [Arg(8)]-vasopressin (AVP) has been found in the AD brain and in plasma; however, it is unclear whether this decrease in AVP is involved in Abeta-induced impairment of spatial cognition and whether AVP can protect against Abeta-induced deficits in cognitive function. The present study examined the effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of AVP on spatial learning and memory in the Morris water maze test and investigated the potential protective function of AVP against Abeta-induced impairment in spatial cognition. The results were as follows: (1) i.c.v. injection of 25 nmol Abeta(25-35) resulted in a significant decline in spatial learning and memory; (2) 1 nmol and 10 nmol, but not 0.1 nmol, AVP injections markedly improved learning and memory; (3) pretreatment with 1 nmol or 10 nmol, but not 0.1 nmol, AVP effectively reversed the impairment in spatial learning and memory induced by Abeta(25-35); and (4) none of the drugs, including Abeta(25-35) and different concentrations of AVP, affected the vision or swimming speed of the rats. These results indicate that Abeta(25-35) could significantly impair spatial learning and memory in rats, and pretreatment with AVP centrally can enhance spatial learning and effectively prevent the behavioral impairment induced by neurotoxic Abeta(25-35). Thus, the present study provides further insight into the mechanisms by which Abeta impairs spatial learning and memory, suggesting that up-regulation of central AVP might be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of AD.
Department of Physiology, Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China.
Yan-Fang
YF
Pan
Xiao-Rong
XR
Chen
Mei-Na
MN
Wu
Cun-Gen
CG
Ma
Jin-Shun
JS
Qi
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013028:Space Perception / Q000187:drug effects*; D013550:Swimming
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C074636:amyloid beta-protein (25-35); D001127:Arginine Vasopressin