Curcumin Ameliorates Memory Deficits by Enhancing Lactate Content and MCT2 Expression in APP/PS1 Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

ABSTRACT Curcumin is a natural product with several anti‐Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuroprotective properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of curcumin on memory deficits, lactate content, and monocarboxylate transporter 2 (MCT2) in APP/PS1 mouse model of AD. APP/PS1 transgenic mice and wild‐type (WT) C57BL/6J mice were used in the present study. Spatial learning and memory of the mice was detected using Morris water‐maze test. Cerebral cortex and hippocampus lactate contents were detected using lactate assay. MCT2 expression in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus was examined by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Results showed that spatial learning and memory deficits were improved in curcumin‐treated APP/PS1 mouse group compared with those in APP/PS1 mice group. Brain lactate content and MCT2 protein level were increased in curcumin‐treated APP/PS1 mice than in APP/PS1 mice. In summary, our findings indicate that curcumin could ameliorate memory impairments in APP/PS1 mouse model of AD. This phenomenon may be at least partially due to its improving effect on the lactate content and MCT2 protein expression in the brain. Anat Rec, 302:332–338, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.