Alcohol enhances A beta 42-induced neuronal cell death through mitochondrial dysfunction

Abstract

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of beta-amyloid (A beta)-induced neuronal toxicity in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Epidemiological studies have indicated that alcohol consumption plays a role in the development of AD. Here we show that alcohol exposure has a synergistic effect on A beta-induced neuronal cell death. A beta-treated cultured neurons displayed spontaneous generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), disruption of their mitochondrial membrane potential, induction of caspase-3 and p53 activities, and loss of cell viability. Alcohol exposure facilitated A beta-induced neuronal cell death. Our study shows that alcohol consumption enhances A beta-induced neuronal cell death by increasing ROS and mitochondrial dysfunction. Crown Copyright (c) 2008 Published by Elsevier B. V. on behalf of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies. All rights reserved.