title: Employing Alzheimer disease animal models for translational research: focus on dietary components.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Translational research needs valid animal models of disease to discover new pathogenetic aspects and treatments. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), transgenic models are of great value for AD research and drug testing.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  It was the aim of this study to analyze the power of dietary polyphenols against neurodegeneration by investigating the effects of oleuropein aglycone (OLE), the main phenol in the extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), a key component of the Mediterranean diet (MD), in a mouse model of amyloid-β deposition.
  
  
  METHODS
  TgCRND8 mice (3.5 months old), expressing the mutant KM670/671NL+V717F h-βAPP695 transgene, and wild-type (wt) mice were used to study in vivo the effects of an 8-week dietary supplementation with OLE (50 mg/kg of diet) [Grossi et al: PLoS One 2013;8:e71702], following the European Communities Council Directive 86/609 (DL 116/92) and National Guidelines (permit number: 283/2012-B).
  
  
  RESULTS
  OLE administration ameliorates memory dysfunction, raises a significant autophagic response in the cortex and promotes the proliferation of newborn cells in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings support the beneficial effects of EVOO and highlight the possibility that continuous intake of high doses of OLE, both as a nutraceutical or as a food integrator, may prevent/delay the appearance of AD and reduce the severity of its symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grossi
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ed Dami
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rigacci
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stefani
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Luccarini
authors.forename: Fiorella
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Casamenti
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D057888:Iridoid Glucosides; D039823:Iridoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical
chemical_list: D057888:Iridoid Glucosides; D039823:Iridoids; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; C002769:oleuropein