Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) is a clinically tolerated inhibitor of nuclear factor-B (NF-B), antioxidant and antiinflammatory agent, which provides protection in brain ischemia models. In neonatal hypoxia-ischemia model, PDTC activates Akt and reduces activation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3). Because chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and increased GSK-3 activity are features of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, we tested whether PDTC reduces brain pathology and improves cognitive function in a transgenic animal model of AD. A 7 month oral treatment with PDTC prevented the decline in cognition in AD mice without altering -amyloid burden or gliosis. Moreover, marked oxidative stress and activation of NF-B were not part of the brain pathology. Instead, the phosphorylated form of GSK-3 was decreased in the AD mouse brain, and PDTC treatment increased the phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3. Also, PDTC treatment increased the copper concentration in the brain. In addition, PDTC rescued cultured hippocampal neurons from the toxicity of oligomeric A and reduced tau phosphorylation in the hippocampus of AD mice. Finally, astrocytic glutamate transporter GLT-1, known to be regulated by Akt pathway, was decreased in the transgenic AD mice but upregulated back to the wild-type levels by PDTC treatment. Thus, PDTC may improve spatial learning in AD by interfering with Akt-GSK pathway both in neurons and astrocytes. Because PDTC is capable of transferring external Cu 2ϩ into a cell, and, in turn, Cu 2ϩ is able to activate Akt, we hypothesize that PDTC provides the beneficial effect in transgenic AD mice through Cu 2ϩ -activated Akt pathway.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.