Graphene oxide improves postoperative cognitive dysfunction by maximally alleviating amyloid beta burden in mice

Area of Science:

• Nanomedicine
• Neuroscience
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Graphene oxide (GO) shows promise for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other amyloid-beta (Aβ)-related conditions.
• The precise mechanisms of GO in reducing Aβ burden and its role in Aβ-related diseases require further investigation.
• Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), an Aβ-related complication, currently lacks effective nanomedicine treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of graphene oxide (GO) on amyloid-beta (Aβ) levels and cognitive function.
• To explore GO's potential in treating Aβ-related central nervous system complications like postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD).

Main Methods:

• Established HEK293T-APP-GFP and SHSY5Y-APP-GFP cell lines to evaluate GO's impact on Aβ levels.
• Induced fear memory dysfunction in mice via intramedullary fixation surgery under inhalation anesthesia.
• Assessed fear memory using a fear conditioning test and measured hippocampal Aβ levels.

Main Results:

• GO treatment significantly reduced Aβ generation and enhanced Aβ degradation by inhibiting APP β-cleavage and improving lysosomal delivery.
• Postoperative mice exhibited increased hippocampal Aβ levels and impaired fear memory.
• GO administration decreased hippocampal Aβ levels and improved cognitive function in these mice.

Conclusions:

• Graphene oxide (GO) effectively alleviates Aβ accumulation through dual action on Aβ generation and degradation.
• GO administration improves fear memory in postoperative mice by reducing Aβ burden.
• These findings support the application of GO-based nanomedicines for Aβ-related diseases, including POCD.