Sex-specific hypothalamic neuropathology and glucose metabolism in an amyloidosis transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

Abstract Background Amyloid toxicity and glucose metabolic disorders are key pathological features during the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). While the hypothalamus plays a crucial role in regulating systemic energy balance, the distribution of amyloid plaques in the preoptic, anterior, tuberal, and mammillary regions of the hypothalamus in AD mice, particularly across both sexes, remains largely unclear. Our ongoing research aims to explore hypothalamic neuropathology and glucose metabolic disturbances in a well-described APP/PS1 mouse model of AD. Results Immunocytochemical staining revealed that Old-AD-Female mice exhibited a greater hypothalamic Amyloid β (Aβ) burden than their Old-AD-Male counterparts, with the mammillary bodies showing the most severe accumulation. Analysis of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (IBA1) immunoreactivity and Iba1 mRNA indicated differential microgliosis based on sex, while tanycytic territory and ZO-1 tight junction protein expression remained stable in AD mice. Moreover, sex-specific peripheral glucose metabolic parameters (random and fasting blood glucose) seemed to be exacerbated by age. Old AD mice of both sexes exhibited limited hypothalamic activation (c-Fos + cells) in response to blood glucose fluctuations. Hypothalamic Glut 1 expression decreased in young but increased in old female AD mice compared with age-matched male AD mice. Pearson correlation analysis further supported a negative correlation between hypothalamic Aβ load and random blood glucose in old AD groups of both genders, shedding light on the mechanisms underlying this amyloidosis mouse model. Conclusion Aged APP/PS1 mice exhibit sex-specific hypothalamic neuropathology and differential glucose metabolism, highlighting distinct pathological mechanisms within each gender.