A role for astrocytes in glucose delivery to neurons?
Abstract
The present paper examines the possible role of astrocytes in the delivery of glycogen-derived glucose for neuronal metabolism. Such a process would require astrocytic expression of glucose-6-phosphatase. The degree and significance of brain expression of glucose-6-phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.9) has been a subject of controversy. Published immunohistochemical data are consistent with expression of glucose-6-phosphatase by astrocytes, both in vivo and in vitro. In this paper additional confirmation of the expression of glucose-6-phosphatase mRNA in rat brain is presented. Although cultured astrocytes demonstrate glucose-6-phosphatase activity in vitro under assay conditions, there is very limited in vitro evidence that this activity confers a glucose-export capacity on astrocytes. Under most conditions in vitro, lactate export predominates, however this may relate to aspects of the in vitro phenotype. Data relating to astrocytic glucose and lactate export are considered in the context of hypotheses of trafficking by astrocytes of substrates for neuronal metabolism, hypotheses that imply and require compartmentation of these substances, in contrast with current formulations of glucose transport into and within brain that imply no gluco...Continue Reading
Citations
The astrocytes number in different subfield of rat's hippocampus in reference memory learning method
Glucose Transporters at the Blood-Brain Barrier: Function, Regulation and Gateways for Drug Delivery
Comparison of glucose and lactate as substrates during NMDA-induced activation of hippocampal slices
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Astrocytes
Astrocytes are glial cells that support the blood-brain barrier, facilitate neurotransmission, provide nutrients to neurons, and help repair damaged nervous tissues. Here is the latest research.