Singh_2017_Brain.Res.Bull_133_31

Vascular dementia (VaD) is considered as the second commonest form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease (AD). The study was designed to investigate the effect of endothelin receptor against beta-amyloid induced AD type of vascular dementia. This disease was induced by combine administration of single ICV (intracerebroventricle) infusion of beta-amyloid (Abeta) once and chronic oral administration of l-Methionine for 21 days. Bosentan (dual endothelin receptor antagonist) was administered for 21 days. Behavioral alterations were observed during different time interval of the study. Animals were killed immediately following the last behavior session. Oxidative parameters, acetylcholinesterase activity, neuro-inflammatory markers, amyloid beta levels were determined in hippocampus and cortex while serum homocysteine, serum nitrite carotid artery superoxide anion level were also determined. Endothelial function was measured on isolated carotid artery using myograph instrument. Abeta+l-Methionine showed more significant development of cognitive and vascular endothelial deficits, manifested in terms of increase in serum homocysteine level, endothelial dysfunction, impairment of learning and memory, enhanced brain acetylcholinesterase activity, marked mito-oxidative damage in rats. We have observed that l-Methionine and combination of Abeta+l-Methionine significantly enhanced Abeta level both in cortex as well as hippocampus. Treatment of bosentan attenuated Abeta+l-Methionine induced impairment of learning and memory, enhanced Abeta level, mitochondrial and endothelial dysfunction. The results of present study concluded that bosentan offers protection against beta-amyloid-induced vascular dementia in rats. Endothelin receptor may be considered as a potential pharmacological target for the management of AD type of vascular dementia.