Aluminium (Al) is a neurotoxic metal and Al exposure may be a factor in the aetiology of various neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The major pathohistological findings in the AD brain are the presence of neuritic plaques containing beta-amyloid (Abeta) which may interfere with neuronal communication. Moreover, it has been observed that GRP78, a stress-response protein induced by conditions that adversely affect endoplasmic reticulum (ER) function, is reduced in the brain of AD patients. In this study, we investigated the correlation between the expression of Abeta and GRP78 in the brain cortex of mice chronically treated with aluminium sulphate. Chronic exposure over 12 months to aluminium sulphate in drinking water resulted in deposition of Abeta similar to that seen in congophilic amyloid angiopathy (CAA) in humans and a reduction in neuronal expression of GRP78 similar to what has previously been observed in Alzheimer's disease. So, we hypothesise that chronic Al administration is responsible for oxidative cell damage that interferes with ER functions inducing Abeta accumulation and neurodegenerative damage.

Aluminium exposure induces Alzheimer's disease-like histopathological alterations in mouse brain / L.F. Rodella, F. Ricci, E. Borsani, A. Stacchiotti, E. Foglio, G. Favero, R. Rezzani, C. Mariani, R. Bianchi. - In: HISTOLOGY AND HISTOPATHOLOGY. - ISSN 0213-3911. - 23:4(2008 Apr), pp. 433-439.

Aluminium exposure induces Alzheimer's disease-like histopathological alterations in mouse brain

A. Stacchiotti;R. Bianchi
Ultimo
2008

Abstract

Aluminium (Al) is a neurotoxic metal and Al exposure may be a factor in the aetiology of various neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The major pathohistological findings in the AD brain are the presence of neuritic plaques containing beta-amyloid (Abeta) which may interfere with neuronal communication. Moreover, it has been observed that GRP78, a stress-response protein induced by conditions that adversely affect endoplasmic reticulum (ER) function, is reduced in the brain of AD patients. In this study, we investigated the correlation between the expression of Abeta and GRP78 in the brain cortex of mice chronically treated with aluminium sulphate. Chronic exposure over 12 months to aluminium sulphate in drinking water resulted in deposition of Abeta similar to that seen in congophilic amyloid angiopathy (CAA) in humans and a reduction in neuronal expression of GRP78 similar to what has previously been observed in Alzheimer's disease. So, we hypothesise that chronic Al administration is responsible for oxidative cell damage that interferes with ER functions inducing Abeta accumulation and neurodegenerative damage.
Aluminium sulphate; Alzheimer's disease; Beta amyloid; GRP78; Neurodegenerative damage
Settore BIO/16 - Anatomia Umana
apr-2008
http://www.hh.um.es/index.html
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/35332
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