| Summary: | Rationale: The current standard treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is represented by acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. In the pathogenesis of AD, cholesterol is directly involved. Its blood and brain levels positively correlate with amyloid β (Aβ) - a peptide characteristic for AD and capable of increasing AChE activity. Based on these data, we may suppose that cholesterol-lowering medication such as statins and alendronate might confer protection against dementia, probably via modulation of cholesterol synthesis in the brain. The aim of the present studies was to investigate possible influence of two lipophilic statins (simvastatin and atorvastatin) and alendronate on cholesterol synthesis in selected parts of the rat central nervous system (CNS) and other parameters relevant to Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology. Methods: We have performed 3 similar experiments on awaked rats that were administered simvastatin, atorvastatin, alendronate or aqua. At the conclusion of experiments, blood and brain parts were isolated and analyzed for cholesterol, lathosterol, hydroxymethylglutaryl- coenzyme A reductase protein, acetylcholinesterase activity, amyloid beta (40 and 42) and cholesterol synthesis rate. Results: All drugs at higher doses were able to lower cholesterol in the plasma, but none...
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