1. Academic Validation
  2. Anti-amyloidogenic activity of tetracyclines: studies in vitro

Anti-amyloidogenic activity of tetracyclines: studies in vitro

  • FEBS Lett. 2001 Jan 5;487(3):404-7. doi: 10.1016/s0014-5793(00)02380-2.
G Forloni 1 L Colombo L Girola F Tagliavini M Salmona
Affiliations

Affiliation

  • 1 Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy. forloni@irfmn.mnegri.it
Abstract

Cerebral deposition of beta-amyloid is a major neuropathological feature in Alzheimer's disease. Here we show that tetracyclines, Tetracycline and doxycycline, classical Antibiotics, exhibit anti-amyloidogenic activity. This capacity was determined by the exposure of beta 1-42 amyloid peptide to the drugs followed by the electron microscopy examination of the amyloid fibrils spontaneously formed and quantified with thioflavine T binding assay. The drugs reduced also the resistance of beta 1-42 amyloid fibrils to trypsin digestion. Tetracyclines not only inhibited the beta-amyloid aggregates formation but also disassembled the pre-formed fibrils. The results indicate that drugs with a well-known clinical profile, including activity in the central nervous system, are potentially useful for Alzheimer's therapy.

Figures
Products