OBJECTIVES: The association between low testosterone levels and Alzheimer's disease (AD) amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) metabolism was investigated in brain and kidney of guinea pigs.
METHODS: The expression of Abeta peptide in the brain and kidney was assessed by using the immunohistochemistry method.
RESULTS: No expression of Abeta was seen in both groups of animals. This negative staining was found until the fourth week following castration. The formation of Abeta in guinea pigs is perhaps not a short duration process and may undergo different metabolic pathway compare to humans.
CONCLUSION: castration was not associated with the formation of Abeta in the brain and kidneys during a 1-month period and might require a longer period of time.