Brain cholinergic markers and Tau phosphorylation are altered in experimental type 1 diabetes: normalization by electroacupuncture

J Alzheimers Dis. 2013;33(3):767-73. doi: 10.3233/JAD-2012-121309.

Abstract

Diabetes often correlates with tau phosphorylation and the development of Alzheimer's disease. Both are associated with brain cholinergic dysfunction that could benefit from nerve growth factor (NGF)-based therapies. Electroacupuncture (EA) improves brain NGF availability and action. Here we assessed the variations of NGF and tau phosphorylation in the cortex and hippocampus, as well as the expression of choline acetyltransferase in the basal forebrain following diabetes induction and EA in adult rats. We found that EA counteracts diabetes-associated tau hyperphosphorylation and decreases in NGF and choline acetyltransferase, suggesting a possible beneficial effect of EA on brain cholinergic system in diabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Brain / anatomy & histology
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Choline O-Acetyltransferase / metabolism*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / pathology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / therapy*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Electroacupuncture*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation / radiation effects
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • Nerve Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation / physiology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptor, trkA / metabolism
  • tau Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • tau Proteins
  • Nerve Growth Factor
  • Choline O-Acetyltransferase
  • Receptor, trkA
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3