β-Amyloid peptides (Aβ) are major constituents of senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain and contribute to neurodegeneration, operating through activation of apoptotic pathways. It has been proposed that Aβ induces death by oxidative stress, possibly through the generation of peroxynitrite from superoxide and nitric oxide. Estrogen is thought to play a protective role against neurodegeneration through a variety of mechanisms including scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we have challenged with Aβ, either in the presence or in the absence of 17β-estradiol, differentiated human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells (named line SH) and the same line overexpressing anti-oxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1; named line WT). We have observed that: (1) WT cells are less susceptible than SH cells to Aβ insult; (2) caspase-3, but not caspase-1, is involved in Aβ-induced apoptosis in this system; (3) estrogen protects both lines, without significantly affecting SOD activity; and (4) copper chelators prevent Aβ-induced toxicity. Our results further support the notion that anti-oxidant therapy might be beneficial in the treatment of AD by preventing activation of selected apoptotic pathways. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

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