Abstract

TOVAR-FRANCO, Jairo Alfonso  and  CRIOLLO-RAYO, Ángel Alexandro. 3-Nitropropionate effect on the lactate and acetate metabolism of neurons and astrocytes grown in vitro with perinatal concentrations. Univ. Sci. [online]. 2009, vol.14, n.1, pp.48-57. ISSN 0122-7483.

Anaplerotic reactions are an essential metabolic mechanism for the postnatal continuity of the brain development, contributing in processes that require substrates synthesized from Krebs cycle intermediates; however, their role during the presuckling period in the neonate is unknown. Objective. To estimate the anaplerotic capacity of neurons and astrocytes grown in vitro under perinatal conditions. Materials and methods. The effect of 3-nitropropionate (3-NPA)(2 mM) an inhibitor of the succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) on the oxidative and lipogenic metabolism of ¹⁴C-derived from acetate and lactate in perinatal concentrations. The results were compared with its respective controls without inhibitor. Results. In spite of the presence of 3-NPA, respiratory activity with lactate was 40% in neurons and 73% in astrocytes, the lipogenesis was 53% in neurons and 52% in astrocytes. With acetate, the oxidation in neurons was 15% and 63% in astrocytes, lipogenesis was maintained in astrocytes but in neurons it increased up to 174% (p<0.05). Conclusions. These results demonstrate that in spite the oxalacetate depletion generated by 3-NPA, neurons as well as astrocytes are able to maintain the energetic metabolism and the lipid synthesis using lactate or acetate thanks to the anaplerotic activity in the presuckling period. Additionally, astrocytes showed a capacity of buffering the effects of 3-NPA on the oxidation process greater than the neuron capacity. Neurons and astrocytes revealed a better capacity of directing acetate for lipid synthesis, activating the cytosolic acetyl-CoA synthetase pathway.

Keywords : acetate; astrocyte; neuron; 3-nitropropionate; lactate.

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