Neuroprotective effects of small peptides in Alzheimer's disease

摘要

Alzheimer's disease(AD)is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder which is characterized by amyloid plaques.The main components of the plaques are P-amyloid peptides(A beta 1-40 and A beta 1-42).The neurotoxicity of A beta peptides correlates with their aggregation state.Previous studies showed that short peptides sequences of A beta peptides can protect against the neurotoxicity of A beta peptides.Our aim was to find novel peptide fragments or their analogues that inhibit the neurotoxic effects of A beta peptides.Taking into consideration of the structures of the known neuroprotective Ap fragments,we designed and synthesized five pentapeptides as putative neuroprotective agents.The effects of these peptides were investigated by using in vitro and in vivo assays.