title: Quercetin protects against the Aβ(25-35)-induced amnesic injury: involvement of inactivation of rage-mediated pathway and conservation of the NVU.
abstract: Quercetin has demonstrated protective effects against Aβ-induced toxicity on both neurons and endothelial cells. However, whether or not quercetin has an effect on the neurovascular coupling is unclear. In the present study, we aim to investigate the anti-amnesic effects of quercetin and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Aβ(25-35) (10 nmol) was administrated to mice i.c.v. Quercetin was administrated orally for 8 days after injection. Learning and memory behaviors were evaluated by measuring spontaneous alternation in Morris Water Maze test and the step-through positive avoidance test. The regional cerebral blood flow was monitored before the Aβ(25-35) injection and on seven consecutive days after injection. Mice were sacrificed and cerebral cortices were isolated on the last day. The effects of quercetin on the neurovascular unit (NVU) integrity, microvascular function and cholinergic neuronal changes, and the modification of signaling pathways were tested. Our results demonstrate that quercetin treatment for Aβ(25-35)-induced amnesic mice improved the learning and memory capabilities and conferred robust neurovascular coupling protection, involving maintenance of the NVU integrity, reduction of neurovascular oxidation, modulation of microvascular function, improvement of cholinergic system, and regulation of neurovascular RAGE signaling pathway and ERK/CREB/BDNF pathway. In conclusion, in Aβ(25-35)-induced amnesic mice, optimal doses of quercetin administration were beneficial. Quercetin protected the NVU likely through reduction of oxidative damage, inactivation of RAGE-mediated pathway and preservation of cholinergic neurons, offering an alternative medication for Alzheimer's disease.
authors.affiliation: Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Screening Research, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xiannongtan Street, Beijing 100050, PR China.
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Tian-tai
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Xiao-yu
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: Wei-ling
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Jun-ke
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Fang-rui
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Cai-xia
authors.initials: CX
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Guan-hua
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Du
mesh_terms: D000647:Amnesia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011794:Quercetin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000067759:Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000067759:Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; C074636:amyloid beta-protein (25-35); D011794:Quercetin