Early intervention with an estrogen receptor β-selective phytoestrogenic formulation prolongs survival, improves spatial recognition memory, and slows progression of amyloid pathology in a female mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

TitleEarly intervention with an estrogen receptor β-selective phytoestrogenic formulation prolongs survival, improves spatial recognition memory, and slows progression of amyloid pathology in a female mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2013
AuthorsZhao L, Mao Z, Chen S, Schneider LS, Brinton RD
JournalJ Alzheimers Dis
Volume37
Issue2
Pagination403-19
Date Published2013
ISSN1875-8908
KeywordsAlzheimer Disease, Amyloid beta-Peptides, Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor, Animals, Disease Models, Animal, Estrogen Receptor beta, Female, Humans, Maze Learning, Memory Disorders, Mice, Mice, Transgenic, Mutation, Ovariectomy, Peptide Fragments, Phytoestrogens, Plaque, Amyloid, Presenilin-1, Recognition (Psychology), tau Proteins
Abstract

Our recent developments have yielded a novel phytoestrogenic formulation, referred to as the phyto-β-SERM formulation, which exhibits an 83-fold binding selectivity for the estrogen receptor subtype β (ERβ) over ERα. Earlier studies indicate that the phyto-β-SERM formulation is neuroprotective and promotes estrogenic mechanisms in the brain while devoid of feminizing activity in the periphery. Further investigation in a mouse model of human menopause indicates that chronic exposure to the phyto-β-SERM formulation at a clinically relevant dosage prevents/alleviates menopause-related climacteric symptoms. This study assessed the efficacy, in an early intervention paradigm, of the phyto-β-SERM formulation in the regulation of early stages of physical and neurological changes associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a female triple transgenic mouse model of AD. Results demonstrated that, when initiated prior to the appearance of AD pathology, a 9-month dietary supplementation with the phyto-β-SERM formulation promoted physical health, prolonged survival, improved spatial recognition memory, and attenuated amyloid-β deposition and plaque formation in the brains of treated AD mice. In comparison, dietary supplementation of a commercial soy extract preparation showed no effect on cognitive measures, although it appeared to have a positive impact on amyloid pathology. In overall agreement with the behavioral and histological outcomes, results from a gene expression profiling analysis offered insights on the underlying molecular mechanisms associated with the two dietary treatments. In particular, the data suggests that there may be a crosstalk between ERβ and glycogen synthase kinase 3 signaling pathways that could play a role in conferring ERβ-mediated neuroprotection against AD. Taken together, these results support the therapeutic potential of the phyto-β-SERM formulation for prevention and/or early intervention of AD, and warrants further investigations in human studies.

DOI10.3233/JAD-122341
Alternate JournalJ. Alzheimers Dis.
PubMed ID23948892
PubMed Central IDPMC4197935
Grant ListR01 AG033288 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
Faculty Member Reference: 
Roberta Diaz Brinton, Ph.D