Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial pathology marked by amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation, tau hyperphosphorylation, and progressive cognitive decline. Previous studies show that fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF18) exerts a neuroprotective effect in experimental models of neurodegeneration; however, how it affects AD pathology remains unknown. This study aimed to ascertain the impact of FGF18 on the behavioral and neuropathological changes in the rat model of sporadic AD induced by intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of streptozotocin (STZ). The rats were treated with FGF18 (0.94 and 1.88 pmol, ICV) on the 15th day after STZ injection. Their cognitive function was assessed in the Morris water maze and passive avoidance tests for 5 days from the 16th to the 21st days. Aβ levels and histological signs of neurotoxicity were detected using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay and histopathological analysis of the brain, respectively. FGF18 mildly ameliorated the STZ-induced cognitive impairment; the Aβ accumulation was reduced; and the neuronal damage including pyknosis and apoptosis was alleviated in the rat brain. This study highlights the promising therapeutic potential for FGF18 in managing AD.

阿尔茨海默病 (AD) 是一种多因素病理学，其特征是β淀粉样蛋白(Aβ) 积累、tau 蛋白过度磷酸化和进行性认知能力下降。先前的研究表明，成纤维细胞生长因子 18 (FGF18)在神经退行性变的实验模型中发挥神经保护作用；然而，它如何影响 AD 病理仍不清楚。本研究旨在确定 FGF18 对脑室内 (ICV) 注射链脲佐菌素( STZ) 诱导的散发性 AD 大鼠模型行为和神经病理学变化的影响。注射 STZ 后第 15 天，用 FGF18（0.94 和 1.88 pmol，ICV）治疗大鼠。从第16天到第21天，为期5天的莫里斯水迷宫和被动回避测试对他们的认知功能进行了评估。分别使用酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）测定和脑组织病理学分析检测Aβ水平和神经毒性的组织学迹象。FGF18 轻度改善 STZ 引起的认知障碍；Aβ积累减少；大鼠脑内神经元固缩、凋亡等损伤减轻。这项研究强调了 FGF18 在治疗 AD 方面的巨大治疗潜力。