title: β-amyloid decreases detectable endothelial nitric oxide synthase in human erythrocytes: a role for membrane acetylcholinesterase.
abstract: Until few years ago, many studies of Alzheimer's disease investigated the effects of this syndrome in the central nervous system. Only recently, the detection of amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) in the blood has evidenced the necessity to extend studies on extraneuronal cells, particularly on erythrocytes. Aβ is also present in brain capillaries, where it interacts with the erythrocytes, inducing several metabolic and functional alterations. Recently, functionally active endothelial type nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was discovered in human erythrocytes. The goal of the present study was to evidence the effect of Aβ on erythrocyte eNOS. We found that Aβ following to 24-h exposure causes a decrease in the immune staining of erythrocyte eNOS. Concurrently, Aβ alters erythrocyte cell morphology, decreases nitrites and nitrates levels, and affects membrane acetylcholinesterase activity. Propidium, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, was able to reverse the effects elicited by Aβ. These events could contribute to the vascular alterations associated with Alzheimer's disease disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Sciences, Society and Health, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Cassino, Italy. f.misiti@unicas.it
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Misiti
authors.forename: Cristiana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carelli-Alinovi
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sampaolese
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Giardina
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism*; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D009566:Nitrates / Q000378:metabolism; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase