The KATP channel activator diazoxide ameliorates amyloid-β and tau pathologies and improves memory in the 3xTgAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.
Compromised cellular energy metabolism, cerebral hypoperfusion, and neuronal calcium dysregulation are involved in the pathological process of Alzheimer's disease (AD). ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels in plasma membrane and inner mitochondrial membrane play important roles in modulating neuronal excitability, cell survival, and cerebral vascular tone. To investigate the therapeutic potential of drugs that activate KATP channels in AD, we first characterized the effects of the KATP channel opener diazoxide on cultured neurons, and then determined its ability to modify the disease process in the 3xTgAD mouse model of AD. Plasma and mitochondrial membrane potentials, cell excitability, intracellular Ca2+ levels and bioenergetics were measured in cultured cerebral cortical neurons exposed to diazoxide. Diazoxide hyperpolarized neurons, reduced the frequency of action potentials, attenuated Ca2+ influx through NMDA receptor channels, and reduced oxidative stress. 3xTgAD mice treated with diazoxide for 8 months exhibited improved performance in a learning and memory test, reduced levels of anxiety, decreased accumulation of Aβ oligomers and hyperphosphorylated tau in the cortex and hippocampus, and increased cerebral blood flow. Our findings show that diazoxide can ameliorate molecular, cytopathological, and behavioral alterations in a mouse model of AD suggesting a therapeutic potential for drugs that activate KATP channels in the treatment of AD.
Liu
Dong
D
Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
Pitta
Michael
M
Lee
Jong-Hwan
JH
Ray
Balmiki
B
Lahiri
Debomoy K
DK
Furukawa
Katsutoshi
K
Mughal
Mohamed
M
Jiang
Haiyang
H
Villarreal
Julissa
J
Cutler
Roy G
RG
Greig
Nigel H
NH
Mattson
Mark P
MP
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / Q000235:genetics; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology; D003981:Diazoxide / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D018690:Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D054086:KATP Channels; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000494:pharmacology; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques / Q000379:methods; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying / Q000378:metabolism; D053764:Presenilin-1 / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051381:Rats; D024801:Tauopathies / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D016875:tau Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018690:Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists; D054086:KATP Channels; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D053764:Presenilin-1; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016875:tau Proteins; C092520:uK-ATP-1 potassium channel; D016202:N-Methylaspartate; D003981:Diazoxide; D010100:Oxygen; D002118:Calcium