胆固醇与淀粉样蛋白代谢关系的研究进展

Relationship between Cholesterol and Amyloid Protein Metabolism: A Research Progress

阿尔茨海默病(AD)的潜在病因和发病机制目前有多种假说,其中淀粉样前体蛋白(APP)代谢异常、以β-淀粉样蛋白(Aβ)为核心的老年斑异常沉积得到学术界普遍认同。神经元膜胆固醇水平的改变和(或)胆固醇在亚细胞结构中的分布被认为与Aβ的形成、异常聚集、神经毒性以及降解有着潜在关联。基于流行病学以及基础医学研究提示高胆固醇与AD相关联,人们进行了大量关于降低胆固醇的药物特别是他汀类药物治疗AD疗效的临床研究。

There are several hypotheses about potential etiological factors and pathogenesis of Alzheimer＇s disease （AD）, among which amyloid precursor protein （APP） metabolic disorder, senile plaque abnormal deposition with beta- amy- loid protein （Aβ） as the core are widely accepted in the academic world. Altered neuronal membrane cholesterol level and/or its subcellular distribution have been considered to have potential relation with Aβformation, abnormal aggregation, neurotoxicity and its degradation. Epidemiological and basic medical research suggests that high cholesterol is associated with AD. This article reviews the progress in research of relationship between cholesterol and amyloid protein metabolism.