Effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles and vitamin C in a model of aluminum-induced Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases in the world. Amyloid beta plaques and hyperphosphorylated tau formations are observed in the pathology of the disease. One of the main causes of the disease is aluminum (Al) exposure. Increase in stress induced by Al plays a role in the progression of AD by causing an increase in tau hyperphosphorylation. Zinc and vitamin C are important substances for the brain. It is known that the level of zinc in the brain tissue of Alzheimer's patients is decreased. Therefore, zinc nanoparticles were used in our study. In our study, individual and combined applications of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NP) and vitamin C on Al-induced AH were discussed. AlCl3 (70 mg/kg/day) were administered intraperitoneally for 42 days, ZnO-NP (1 mg/kg) and vitamin C (125 mg/kg) were administered to rats for 28 days starting from the 14th day. Passive avoidance test was performed for AD control and AChE was measured for synaptic transmission control. CAT, SOD, MDA, GSH parameters were used as biomarkers in brain tissue to determine the level of oxidative stress. Histological changes in the brain tissue were examined by light microscopy. Tau hyperphosphorylation was determined by immunofluorescence method. DNA damage was measured by the SCGE method. According to the findings, ZnO-NP and vitamin C; it showed a regulatory effect by significantly reducing the oxidative stress and AChE activity, DNA damage, which was increased as a result of Al exposure. In addition, it has demonstrated preventive and curative effects on the accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau and the progression of other pathological formations in the brain.