Active Form of Vitamin D Analogue Mitigates Neurodegenerative Changes in Alzheimer’s Disease in Rats by Targeting Keap1/Nrf2 and MAPK-38p/ERK signaling pathways

Publication date: Available online 23 January 2020Source: SteroidsAuthor(s): Shimaa Saad El-Din, Laila Rashed, Engy Medhat, Basma Emad Aboulhoda, Ahmed Desoky Badawy, Asmaa Mohammed Shamseldeen, Marwa AbdelgwadAbstractBackgroundThe nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor2 (Nrf2), a chief transcriptional regulator of antioxidant response element (ARE), is considered a promising target for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Vitamin D has been recognized to have a crucial role in improving AD cognitive functions. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of active vitamin D analogue, Maxacalcitol, on Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway in experimental Alzheimer’s disease in rats.Materials and MethodsThe study was conducted on thirty female white albino rats divided equally into 3 groups: control group, Alzheimer group induced by Lipopolysaccharide and Alzheimer group treated with active vitamin D3 analogue, Maxacalcitol. The following parameters were assessed in rat brain tissues: Gene expression of Nrf2, Keap1 and MAF by RT-PCR, protein levels of phosphorylated MAPK-38p and ERK1/2 by Western Blot Technique, estimation of HO-1, Amyloid β, p-Tau levels and serum levels of TNFα, IL-10 and total 25-hydroxyvitamin D, serum calcium levels, GSH and MDA levels were also estimated in addition to cognitive function tests and histo-pathological examination of rat brain tissues.ResultsIn Alzheimer group, there was a significant deficit in cognition along with down-re...
Source: Steroids - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research