High salt induces cognitive impairment via the angiotensin II-AT1 and prostaglandin E2-EP1 systems

Abstract

High salt (HS) intake is a known risk factor for hypertension and dementia. Clinical studies have shown that antihypertensive drugs can decrease the incidence of dementia. Accordingly, a strong relationship can be suggested between hypertension and cognitive impairment. It is well-known that angiotensin II (Ang II)-AT1 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-EP1 systems are involved in hypertension and neurotoxicity. However, the involvement of these systems in HS-mediated hypertension and emotional and cognitive impairments remains unclear. Herein, we demonstrated that hypertension and impaired social behavior and object recognition memory following HS intake could be associated with tau hyperphosphorylation, decreased phosphorylation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) expression in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of mice. These changes were blocked by pharmacological treatment with losartan, an Ang II receptor blocker (ARB), or EP1 gene knockout. Our findings suggest that Ang II-AT1 and PGE2-EP1 systems could be novel therapeutic targets for hypertension-induced dementia.