The Effect of Zeolite Zinc on Memory Performance and Hippocampal Cell Death in a Rat Model of Alzheimer's-like Disease Induced by Aβ1-42.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders, characterized by the slow and progressive loss of brain structure and function, primarily affecting older individuals. Evidence has shown that disruption of zinc homeostasis in the brain contributes to synaptic dysfunction, as well as impairments in learning and memory. In this study, we evaluated the effect of zeolite zinc on memory performance and hippocampal cell death in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) induced by intracerebroventricular administration of Aβ_1-42. We employed the Morris water maze, shuttle box, and open field tests to assess spatial memory, passive avoidance memory, and anxiety-like behavior, respectively. P-Tau and the amyloid precursor protein (APP) expression, along with hippocampal cell death, were also evaluated. Both Aβ_1-42 and zeolite zinc were injected intracerebroventricularly. The results showed that zeolite zinc partially reversed Aβ_1-42-induced impairments in memory performance and mitigated the effects of Aβ_1-42 on locomotor activity, although it did not fully restore baseline levels. In addition, Aβ_1-42 increased the expression of APP and P-Tau, as well as the number of dead cells, whereas zeolite zinc reduced these effects. In conclusion, our findings suggest that while zeolite zinc plays a role in modulating the pathophysiology of AD, its therapeutic effects only partially reverse the progression or symptoms of AD, indicating the need for further investigation into optimal dosing or combination therapies.