Effect of memantine on expression ofBace1-as and Bace1genes in STZ-induced Alzheimeric rats

Recent studies have showed that the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) expression is dysregulated in different neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the present study, the effects of memantine on the level ofBace1-asandBace1genes' expression in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced Alzheimer's and memantine treated rats were investigated. The male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: 1-Normal control, 2-Sham-operated control, 3- Alzheimer'scontrol rats (ICV-STZ), 4-Experimental group rats treated by memantine in a dose of 30 mg/kg/day for 28 days in ICV-STZ rats. The expression ofBace1-asandBace1genes was measured by quantitative-PCR in the brain and blood tissues. ELISA was used to analyzeBace1andA beta proteins. Expression ofBace1-aswas significantly increased in the brain and blood tissues of the experimental group (p = 0.032 and p = 0.034, respectively). The expression ofBace1gene showed no significant changes in the brain. Furthermore, the ELISA analysis revealed thatBace1protein was significantly increased in the plasma of the Alzheimer's control group (p = 0.000) and in the brain tissue of the experimental group (p = 0.000). Additionally,A beta levels had no significant changes between all groups studied. TheBace1protein may be used as a prognostic biomarker in plasma, or before using memantine as a treatment. Furthermore,Bace1-asgene expression may play a role in monitoring the progression of AD.