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  • Methylene blue reduced abnormal tau accumulation in P301L tau transgenic mice.

Methylene blue reduced abnormal tau accumulation in P301L tau transgenic mice.

PloS one (2013-01-04)
Masato Hosokawa, Tetsuaki Arai, Masami Masuda-Suzukake, Takashi Nonaka, Makiko Yamashita, Haruhiko Akiyama, Masato Hasegawa
ABSTRACT

In neurodegenerative disorders, abnormally hyperphosphorylated and aggregated tau accumulates intracellularly, a mechanism which is thought to induce neuronal cell death. Methylene blue, a type of phenothiazine, has been reported to inhibit tau aggregation in vitro. However, the effect of methylene blue in vivo has remained unknown. Therefore, we examined whether methylene blue suppresses abnormal tau accumulation using P301L tau transgenic mice. At 8 to 11 months of age, these mice were orally administered methylene blue for 5 months. Subsequent results of Western blotting analysis revealed that this agent reduced detergent-insoluble phospho-tau. Methylene blue may have potential as a drug candidate for the treatment of tauopathy.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Sarcosine, BioXtra
Sigma-Aldrich
Sarcosine, 98%
Sigma-Aldrich
Sarcosine, crystallized, ≥98.0% (T)
Sigma-Aldrich
N-Lauroylsarcosine, neat, ≥95%
Sigma-Aldrich
N-Lauroylsarcosine, purum p.a., ≥98.0% (GC)