The lipophilic metal chelator DP-109 reduces amyloid pathology in brains of human beta-amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice

Neurobiol Aging. 2004 Nov-Dec;25(10):1315-21. doi: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2004.01.005.

Abstract

Metals such as zinc, copper and iron contribute to aggregation of amyloid-beta (Abeta) protein and deposition of amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We examined whether the lipophilic metal chelator DP-109 inhibited these events in aged female hAbetaPP-transgenic Tg2576 mice. Daily gavage administration of DP-109 for 3 months markedly reduced the burden of amyloid plaques and the degree of cerebral amyloid angiopathy in brains, compared to animals receiving vehicle treatment. Moreover, DP-109 treatment appeared to facilitate the transition of Abeta from insoluble to soluble forms in the cerebrum. These results further support the hypothesis that endogenous metals are involved in the deposition of aggregated Abeta in brains of AD patients, and that metal chelators may be useful therapeutic agents in the treatment of AD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / drug effects
  • Aging / metabolism
  • Aging / pathology
  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / genetics
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism*
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Chelating Agents / administration & dosage
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Egtazic Acid / administration & dosage*
  • Egtazic Acid / analogs & derivatives*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Metals / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Multiprotein Complexes / drug effects
  • Multiprotein Complexes / metabolism
  • Plaque, Amyloid / drug effects
  • Plaque, Amyloid / metabolism*
  • Plaque, Amyloid / pathology*
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor
  • Chelating Agents
  • DP-109
  • Metals
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Egtazic Acid