Aluminum modulates brain amyloidosis through oxidative stress in APP transgenic mice

Epidemiological studies have implicated aluminum (Al) exposure in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, other studies have failed to confirm these results. Oxidative stress is a feature of AD, and Al can exacerbate oxidative events. This biological property has been suggested as a possible mechanism by which this metal could influence the onset and/or evolution of the disease. To test this hypothesis, we fed transgenic mice that over express human amyloid precursor protein (Tg2576) with a diet enriched in Al and measured isoprostane levels, sensitive and specific markers of in vivo oxidative stress, as well as amyloid b peptide formation and deposition. Here, we show an increase in brain isoprostane levels that correlated with increased amyloid b levels and accelerated plaque deposition in Tg2576 mice but not in wild-type (WT) littermates fed with high dietary Al. Significantly, these in vivo effects of Al were reversed by vitamin E, as judged by a reduction of isoprostane production, amyloid b levels, and plaque deposition. These results indicate that dietary Al can modulate in vivo AD-like amyloidosis in Tg2576 by increasing brain oxidative stress.