Adaptive responses of vertebrate neurons to anoxia--matching supply to demand

Oxygen depleted environments are relatively common on earth and represent both a challenge and an opportunity to organisms that survive there. A commonly observed survival strategy to this kind of stress is a lowering of metabolic rate or metabolic depression. Whether metabolic rate is at a normal or a depressed level the supply of ATP (glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation) must match the cellular demand for ATP (protein synthesis and ion pumping), a condition that must of course be met for long-term survival in hypoxic and anoxic environments. Underlying a decrease in metabolic rate is a corresponding decrease in both ATP supply and ATP demand pathways setting a new lower level for ATP turnover. Both sides of this equation can be actively regulated by second messenger pathways but it is less clear if they are regulated differentially or even sequentially with the onset of anoxia. The vertebrate brain is extremely sensitive to low oxygen levels yet some species can survive in oxygen depleted environments for extended periods and offer a working model of brain survival without oxygen. Hypoxia tolerant vertebrate brain will be the primary focus of this review; however, we will draw upon research involving hypoxia/ischemia tolerance mechanisms in liver and heart to offer clues to how brain can tolerate anoxia. The issue of regulating ATP supply or demand pathways will also be addressed with a focus on ion channel arrest being a significant mechanism to reduce ATP demand and therefore metabolic rate. Furthermore, mitochondria are ideally situated to serve as cellular oxygen sensors and mediator of protective mechanisms such as ion channel arrest. Therefore, we will also describe a mitochondria based mechanism of ion channel arrest involving ATP-sensitive mitochondrial K(+) channels, cytosolic calcium and reaction oxygen species concentrations.

Calcium and protein phosphatase 1/2A attenuate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activity in the anoxic turtle cortex

Excitotoxic cell death (ECD) is characteristic of mammalian brain following min of anoxia, but is not observed in the western painted turtle following days to months without oxygen. A key event in ECD is a massive increase in intracellular Ca(2+) by over-stimulation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs). The turtle's anoxia tolerance may involve the prevention of ECD by attenuating NMDAR-induced Ca(2+) influx. The goal of this study was to determine if protein phosphatases (PPs) and intracellular calcium mediate reductions in turtle cortical neuron whole-cell NMDAR currents during anoxia, thereby preventing ECD. Whole-cell NMDAR currents did not change during 80 min of normoxia, but decreased 56% during 40 min of anoxia. Okadaic acid and calyculin A, inhibitors of serine/threonine PP1 and PP2A, potentiated NMDAR currents during normoxia and prevented anoxia-mediated attenuation of NMDAR currents. Decreases in NMDAR activity during anoxia were also abolished by inclusion of the Ca(2+) chelator -- BAPTA and the calmodulin inhibitor -- calmidazolium. However, cypermethrin, an inhibitor of the Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent PP2B (calcineurin), abolished the anoxic decrease in NMDAR activity at 20, but not 40 min suggesting that this phosphatase might play an early role in attenuating NMDAR activity during anoxia. Our results show that PPs, Ca(2+) and calmodulin play an important role in decreasing NMDAR activity during anoxia in the turtle cortex. We offer a novel mechanism describing this attenuation in which PP1 and 2A dephosphorylate the NMDAR (NR1 subunit) followed by calmodulin binding, a subsequent dissociation of alpha-actinin-2 from the NR1 subunit, and a decrease in NMDAR activity.

Adenosine as a signal for ion channel arrest in anoxia-tolerant organisms

Certain freshwater turtles and fish are extremely anoxia-tolerant, capable of surviving hours of anoxia at high temperatures and weeks to months at low temperatures. There is great interest in understanding the cellular mechanisms underlying anoxia-tolerance in these groups because they are anoxia-tolerant vertebrates and because of the far-reaching medical benefits that would be gained. It has become clear that a pre-condition of prolonged anoxic survival must involve the matching of ATP production with ATP utilization to maintain stable ATP levels during anoxia. In most vertebrates, anoxia leads to a severe decrease in ATP production without a concomitant reduction in utilization, which inevitably leads to the catastrophic events associated with cell death or necrosis. Anoxia-tolerant organisms do not increase ATP production when faced with anoxia, but rather decrease utilization to a level that can be met by anaerobic glycolysis alone. Protein synthesis and ion movement across the plasma membrane are the two main targets of regulatory processes that reduce ATP utilization and promote anoxic survival. However, the oxygen sensing and biochemical signaling mechanisms that achieve a coordinated reduction in ATP production and utilization remain unclear. One candidate-signaling compound whose extracellular concentration increases in concert with decreasing oxygen availability is adenosine. Adenosine is known to have profound effects on various aspects of tissue metabolism, including protein synthesis, ion pumping and permeability of ion channels. In this review, I will investigate the role of adenosine in the naturally anoxia-tolerant freshwater turtle and goldfish and give an overview of pathways by which adenosine concentrations are regulated.

Effect of anoxia and pharmacological anoxia on whole-cell NMDA receptor currents in cortical neurons from the western painted turtle

The mammalian brain undergoes rapid cell death during anoxia that is characterized by uncontrolled Ca(2+) entry via N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs). In contrast, the western painted turtle is extremely anoxia tolerant and maintains close-to-normal [Ca(2+)](i) during periods of anoxia lasting from days to months. A plausible mechanism of anoxic survival in turtle neurons is the regulation of NMDARs to prevent excitotoxic Ca(2+) injury. However, studies using metabolic inhibitors such as cyanide (NaCN) as a convenient method to induce anoxia may not represent a true anoxic stress. This study was undertaken to determine whether turtle cortical neuron whole-cell NMDAR currents respond similarly to true anoxia with N(2) and to NaCN-induced anoxia. Whole-cell NMDAR currents were measured during a control N(2)-induced anoxic transition and a control NaCN-induced transition. During anoxia with N(2) normalized, NMDAR currents decreased to 35.3%+/-10.8% of control values. Two different NMDAR current responses were observed during NaCN-induced anoxia: one resulted in a 172%+/-51% increase in NMDAR currents, and the other was a decrease to 48%+/-14% of control. When responses were correlated to the two major neuronal subtypes under study, we found that stellate neurons responded to NaCN treatment with a decrease in NMDAR current, while pyramidal neurons exhibited both increases and decreases. Our results show that whole-cell NMDAR currents respond differently to NaCN-induced anoxia than to the more physiologically relevant anoxia with N(2).

Gap junctions do not underlie changes in whole-cell conductance in anoxic turtle brain

An acute reduction in cell membrane permeability could provide an effective strategy to prolong anoxic survival. A previous study has shown that in the western painted turtle whole-cell neuronal conductance (G(w)) decreases during anoxia, which may be mediated by the activation of adenosine A(1) receptors and calcium. Reduction in G(w) is thought to be the result of ion channel closure, but closure of gap junctions could also be responsible for this phenomenon. In our study, antibody staining of connexin 32 and 43 (Cx32 and Cx43) suggested the presence of gap junctional components in the turtle cortex. To examine if gap junctions were involved in the previously measured anoxic decrease in G(w), neuronal connectivity was assessed through the measurement of whole-cell capacitance (C(w)). Turtle cortical sheets were perfused with normoxic (95%O(2)/5%CO(2)), anoxic (95%N(2)/5%CO(2)), high calcium (4 mM) and adenosine (200 microm) artificial cerebral spinal fluid (aCSF). No significant change in C(w) was observed under any of the above conditions. However, during hypo-osmotic aCSF perfusion C(w) decreased significantly, with the lowest value of 50+/-10.4 pF (P<0.05) occurring at 30 min. To visualize changes in gap junction permeability lucifer yellow was loaded into turtle neurons during normoxic, anoxic, 0 calcium, hypo-osmotic, cold shock, (+)-isoproterenol, nitric oxide donor S-nitoso-acetyl penicillamine, and 8-bromo-guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate aCSF perfusion. Dye propagation was only observed in 3 of 20 cold shock experiments (4 degrees C). We conclude that gap junctions are not involved in the acute reduction in G(w) previously observed during anoxia and that our results support the hypothesis that ion channel arrest is involved.

Tissue-specific expression of inducible and constitutive Hsp70 isoforms in the western painted turtle

Expression of Hsp73 and Hsp72 in four tissues of the naturally anoxia-tolerant western painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) was investigated in response to a 24 h forced dive and following 1 h recovery. Of the tissues examined, brain and liver displayed approximately threefold and sevenfold higher basal Hsp73 expression than heart and skeletal muscle. Basal Hsp72 expression was relatively low in all tissues examined. After the 24 h forced dive and 1 h recovery, Hsp73 expression did not differ significantly from basal expression with the exception of liver, where expression decreased significantly after 1 h recovery. Hsp72 expression was unchanged in liver following a 24 h dive; however, it increased twofold in brain and threefold in heart and skeletal muscle. Dive-induced Hsp72 expression was found to correlate inversely with basal Hsp73 expression. Following 1 h recovery, Hsp72 expression was significantly elevated in all tissues above levels in dived animals. These data indicate a tissue-specific pattern of Hsp73 and Hsp72 expression in the western painted turtle during both unstressed and stressed conditions.

Succinate and alanine as anaerobic end-products in the diving turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii)

The western painted turtle is an extremely anoxia-tolerant vertebrate capable of tolerating blood lactate levels of 150-200 mM. Since lactate increases to such high levels, other fermentation end-products such as succinate and alanine, which have not been previously measured in this species, might also be expected to increase. Therefore, I measured turtle heart, liver, and blood concentrations of lactate, succinate, and alanine following a 28-day anoxic dive at 5 degrees C. Succinate and lactate concentrations increased significantly in all three compartments while alanine increased significantly in the liver only. Lactate was found to accumulate by a similar amount in all three compartments (66.4-80.5 micromol g or ml(-1) in the blood compartment) and was used as a reference to which alanine and succinate concentrations could be compared. Succinate and alanine levels increased by 2 and 0.9% of lactate in liver, approximately 0.3 and 0.04% of lactate in blood, and 0.6 and 0.07% of lactate in heart, respectively. The contribution of each to the total anoxic heat production was calculated and accounted for an additional 1.5% of the previously measured exothermic gap. I conclude that succinate and alanine concentrations do increase in the anoxic turtle but are minor anaerobic end-products.

Hypoxia-induced silencing of NMDA receptors in turtle neurons

Hypoxia-induced suppression of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) in western painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) cortical neurons may be critical for surviving months of anoxic dormancy. We report that NMDARs are silenced by at least three different mechanisms operating at different times during anoxia. In pyramidal neurons from cerebrocortex, 1-8 min anoxia suppressed NMDAR activity (Ca(2+) influx and open probability) by 50-60%. This rapid decrease in receptor activity was controlled by activation of phosphatase 1 or 2A but was not associated with an increase in [Ca(2+)](i). However, during 2 hr of anoxia, [Ca(2+)](i) in cerebrocortical neurons increased by 35%, and suppression of NMDARs was predicted by the increase of [Ca(2+)](i) and controlled by calmodulin. An additional mechanism of NMDAR silencing, reversible removal of receptors from the cell membrane, was found in cerebrocortex of turtles remaining anoxic at 3 degrees C for 3-21 d. When suppression of NMDARs was prevented with phosphatase inhibitors, tolerance of anoxia was lost. Silencing of NMDARs is thus critical to the remarkable ability of C. picta to tolerate life without oxygen.

Acute reduction in whole cell conductance in anoxic turtle brain

We tested the effect of anoxia, a "mimic" turtle artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) consisting of high Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations and low pH and adenosine perfusions, on whole cell conductance (G(w)) in turtle brain slices using a whole cell voltage-clamp technique. With EGTA in the recording electrode, anoxic or adenosine perfusions did not change Gw significantly (values range between 2.15 +/- 0.24 and 3.24 +/- 0.56 nS). However, perfusion with normoxic or anoxic mimic aCSF significantly decreased Gw. High [Ca2+] (4.0 or 7.8 mM) perfusions alone could reproduce the changes in Gw found with the mimic perfusions. With the removal of EGTA from the recording electrode, Gw decreased significantly during both anoxic and adenosine perfusions. The A1-receptor agonist N6-cyclopentyladenosine reduced Gw in a dose-dependent manner, whereas the A1-receptor specific antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine blocked both the adenosine- and anoxic-mediated changes in Gw. These data suggest a mechanism involving A1-receptor-mediated changes in intracellular [Ca2+] that result in acute changes in Gw with the onset of anoxia.

Adaptations of vertebrate neurons to hypoxia and anoxia: maintaining critical Ca2+ concentrations

Down-regulation of ion channel activity ('channel arrest'), which aids in preserving critical ion gradients in concert with greatly diminished energy production, is one important strategy by which anoxia-tolerant neurons adapt to O2 shortage. Channel arrest results in the elimination of action potentials and neurotransmission and also decreases the need for ion transport, which normally requires a large energy expenditure. Important targets of this down-regulation may be channels in which activity would otherwise result in the toxic increases in intracellular [Ca2+] characteristic of anoxia-sensitive mammalian neurons. In turtles, Na+ channels and the Ca2+-permeable ion channel of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)-type glutamate receptor undergo down-regulation during anoxia. Inactivation of NMDA receptors during hypoxia occurs by a variety of mechanisms, including alterations in the phosphorylation state of ion channel subunits, Ca2+-dependent second messenger activation, changes in Ca2+-dependent polymerization/depolymerization of actin to postsynaptic receptors and activation of other G-protein-coupled receptors. Release of inhibitory neurotransmitters (e.g. gamma-aminobutyrate) and neuromodulators (e.g. adenosine) into the brain extracellular fluids may play an important role in the down-regulation of these and other types of ion channels.

Adenosine and anoxia reduce N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor open probability in turtle cerebrocortex

During normoxia, glutamate and the glutamate family of ion channels play a key role in mediating rapid excitatory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system. However, during hypoxia, intracellular [Ca2+] increases to neurotoxic levels, mediated largely by the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subfamily of glutamate receptors. Adenosine has been shown to decrease the magnitude of the hypoxia-induced increase in [Ca2+]i in mammalian brain slices, delaying tissue injury. Turtle brain is remarkably tolerant of anoxia, maintaining a pre-anoxic [Ca2+]i while cerebral adenosine levels increase 12-fold. Employing cell-attached single-channel patch-clamp techniques, we studied the effect of adenosine (200 micromol l-1) and anoxia on NMDA receptor open probability (Popen) and current amplitude. After 60 min of anoxic perfusion, channel Popen decreased by 65 % (from 6.8+/-1.6 to 2.4+/-0.8 %) an effect that could also be achieved with a normoxic perfusion of 200 micromol l-1 adenosine (Popen decreased from 5.8+/-1.1 to 2.3+/-1.2 %). The inclusion of 10 micromol l-1 8-phenyltheophylline, an A1 receptor blocker, prevented the adenosine- and anoxia-induced decrease in Popen. Mean single-channel current amplitude remained at approximately 2.7+/-0.23 pA under all experimental conditions. To determine whether a change in the membrane potential could be part of the mechanism by which Popen decreases, membrane and threshold potential were measured following each experiment. Membrane potential did not change significantly under any condition, ranging from -76.8 to -80.6 mV. Therefore, during anoxia, NMDA receptors cannot be regulated by Mg2+ in a manner dependent on membrane potential. Threshold potentials did decrease significantly following 60 min of anoxic or adenosine perfusion (control -33.3+/-1.9 mV, anoxia -28.4+/-1.5 mV, adenosine -23.4+/-2.8 mV). We conclude that anoxia modulates NMDA receptor activity and that adenosine plays a key role in mediating this change. This is the first direct measurement of ion channel activity in anoxic turtle brain and demonstrates that ion channel regulation is part of the naturally evolved anoxic defence mechanism of this species.

Oxygen sensing and signal transduction in metabolic defense against hypoxia: lessons from vertebrate facultative anaerobes

Earlier studies identified two main defense strategies against hypoxia in hypoxia tolerant animals: (1) reduction in energy turnover, and (2) improved energetic efficiency of those metabolic processes that remain. We used two model systems from the highly anoxia-tolerant aquatic turtle: (1) tissue slices of brain cortex (to probe cell level electrophysiological responses to oxygen limitation), and (2) isolated liver hepatocytes (to probe signalling and defense). In the latter, a cascade of processes underpinning hypoxia defense begins with an oxygen sensor that is probably a heme protein and a signal transduction pathway that leads to the specific activation of some genes (increased expression of several proteins) and to specific down-regulation of other genes (decreased expression of several other proteins). The pathway seems to have characteristics in common with oxygen-regulated control elements in other cells. The probable roles of the oxygen sensing and signal transduction system include coordinate down-regulation of energy demand and energy supply pathways in metabolism. Because of this coordination, hypoxia tolerant cells stay in energy balance even as they down-regulate to extremely low levels of ATP turnover. The main ATP-demanding processes in normoxia (protein synthesis, protein degradation, glucose synthesis, urea synthesis and maintenance of electrochemical gradients) are all turned down to variable degrees during anoxia or extreme hypoxia. Most striking is the observation that ion pumping is the main energy sink in anoxia-despite reductions in cell membrane permeability ("channel arrest"). Neurons also show a much lower permeability than do homologous mammalian cells but, in this case under acute anoxia, there is no further change in cell membrane conductivity. We consider that, through this recent work, it is becoming evident how normoxic maintenance ATP turnover rates can be down-regulated by an order of magnitude or more-to a new hypometabolic steady state that is prerequisite for surviving prolonged hypoxia or anoxia. The implications of these developments extend to many facets of biology and medicine.

Interactive effects of pH and temperature on N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activity in rat cortical brain slices

Low extracellular pH decreases the activity of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor, and may thus limit neuronal calcium overload during cerebral ischemia. During induced hypothermia, alkaline pH ("alphastat regulation") is often used to preserve cardiac and enzymatic function. The purpose of this study is to measure the functional activity of cerebral cortex NMDA receptors over the range of temperatures used in profound hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (20-37 degrees C). Extracellular pH was varied over a broad range relevant to both alphastat and pH stat acid-base management (7.0-7.8). Change in cytosolic free calcium evoked by 50 microM NMDA in brain slices was used as an index of NMDA receptor activity. Cortical slices (300 microns thick) were loaded with fura-2 Aspartate Methyl for study in a fluorometer. At 37 degrees C, a change in extracellular pH from 7.1 to 7.8 increased the NMDA-evoked change in cytosolic calcium in brain slices by a factor of 4 (p < 0.05). In contrast, at 20 degrees C there was minimal effect of changing extracellular pH from 7.1 to 7.8 (27% increase). We conclude that hypothermia results in decreased pH sensitivity of the NMDA receptor. The results predict that different strategies of pH management during induced hypothermia may have limited impact on NMDA receptor-mediated processes, such as neuronal calcium overload.

Effects of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate on glutamate release and ATP loss from rat brain slices during hypoxia

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP), an intermediate of glucose metabolism, is neuroprotective in brain hypoxia or ischemia. Because the mechanisms for this protection are not clear, we examined the effects of FBP on two important events in brain ischemia, i.e., loss of ATP and release of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. Glutamate release from cortical brain slices was measured fluorometrically (glutamate dehydrogenase-catalyzed conversion of glutamate to alpha-ketoglutarate) during hypoxia (PO2 15 mm Hg) or hypoxia plus 100 microM cyanide. FBP (3.5 mM, with glucose 20 mM) reduced glutamate release during hypoxia by 55% and during hypoxia/cyanide by 46% (p < 0.005), and prevented a significant fall in [ATP]. [ATP] was maintained in oxygenated glucose-free conditions with 20 but not 3.5 mM FBP, and fell to < 20% of normal with hypoxia. Despite the drop in [ATP], 3.5 or 20 mM FBP without glucose decreased hypoxia-evoked glutamate release. We conclude (1) FBP present without glucose preserves normal [ATP] only when oxygen is available, suggesting limited uptake and metabolism; and (2) FBP decreases hypoxia-evoked glutamate release by processes independent of [ATP]. These results suggest protective actions of FBP that are separate from augmentation of anaerobic energy production, as previously proposed.

Unifying theory of hypoxia tolerance: molecular/metabolic defense and rescue mechanisms for surviving oxygen lack

We develop a unifying theory of hypoxia tolerance based on information from two cell level models (brain cortical cells and isolated hepatocytes) from the highly anoxia tolerant aquatic turtle and from other more hypoxia sensitive systems. We propose that the response of hypoxia tolerant systems to oxygen lack occurs in two phases (defense and rescue). The first lines of defense against hypoxia include a balanced suppression of ATP-demand and ATP-supply pathways; this regulation stabilizes (adenylates) at new steady-state levels even while ATP turnover rates greatly decline. The ATP demands of ion pumping are down-regulated by generalized "channel" arrest in hepatocytes and by "spike" arrest in neurons. Hypoxic ATP demands of protein synthesis are down-regulated probably by translational arrest. In hypoxia sensitive cells this translational arrest seems irreversible, but hypoxia-tolerant systems activate "rescue" mechanisms if the period of oxygen lack is extended by preferentially regulating the expression of several proteins. In these cells, a cascade of processes underpinning hypoxia rescue and defense begins with an oxygen sensor (a heme protein) and a signal-transduction pathway, which leads to significant gene-based metabolic reprogramming-the rescue process-with maintained down-regulation of energy-demand and energy-supply pathways in metabolism throughout the hypoxic period. This recent work begins to clarify how normoxic maintenance ATP turnover rates can be drastically (10-fold) down-regulated to a new hypometabolic steady state, which is prerequisite for surviving prolonged hypoxia or anoxia. The implications of these developments are extensive in biology and medicine.

Volatile and intravenous anesthetics decrease glutamate release from cortical brain slices during anoxia

BACKGROUND

Extracellular accumulation of the excitatory neurotransmitter L-glutamate during cerebral hypoxia or ischemia contributes to neuronal death. Anesthetics inhibit release of synaptic neurotransmitters but it is unknown if they alter net extrasynaptic glutamate release, which accounts for most of the glutamate released during hypoxia or ischemia. The purpose of this study was to determine if different types of anesthetics decrease hypoxia-induced glutamate release from rat brain slices.

METHODS

Glutamate released from cortical brain slices was measured fluorometrically with the glutamate dehydrogenase catalyzed formation of the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate. Glutamate release was measured in oxygenated (PO2 = 400 mmHg), hypoxic ((PO2 = 20 mmHg), and anoxic ((PO2 = 20 mmHg plus 100 microM NaCN) solutions and with clinical concentrations of anesthetics (halothane 325 microM, enflurane 680 microM, propofol 200 microM, sodium thiopental 50 microM). The source of glutamate released during these stresses was defined with toxins inhibiting N and P type voltage-gated calcium channels, and with calcium-free medium.

RESULTS

Glutamate released during hypoxia or anoxia was 1.5 and 5.3 times greater, respectively, than that evoked by depolarization with 30 mM KCl. Hypoxia/anoxia-induced glutamate release was not mediated by synaptic voltage-gated calcium channels, but probably by the reversal of normal uptake mechanisms. Halothane, enflurane, and sodium thiopental, but not propofol, decreased hypoxia-evoked glutamate release by 50-70% (P < 0.05). None of the anesthetics alter basal glutamate release.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors conclude that halothane, enflurane, and sodium thiopental but not propofol, at clinical concentrations, decrease extrasynaptic release of L-glutamate during hypoxic stress.

Role of adenosine in NMDA receptor modulation in the cerebral cortex of an anoxia-tolerant turtle (Chrysemys picta belli)

Accumulation of the neuromodulator adenosine in the anoxia-tolerant turtle brain may play a key role in a protective decrease in excitatory neurotransmission during anoxia. Since excitatory neurotransmission is mediated largely by Ca2+ entry through N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, we measured the effect of adenosine on NMDA-mediated Ca2+ transients in normoxic and anoxic turtle cerebrocortical sheets. Intracellular [Ca2+] was measured fluorometrically with the Ca2+-sensitive dye Fura-2. Baseline intracellular [Ca2+] and [ATP] were also measured to assess cortical sheet viability and potential toxic effects of NMDA. Baseline [Ca2+] did not change significantly under any condition, ranging from 109 +/- 22 to 187 +/- 26 nmoll-1. Throughout normoxic and 2h anoxic protocols, and after single and multiple NMDA exposures, [ATP] did not change significantly, ranging from 16.0 +/- 1.9 to 25.3 +/- 4.9 nmol ATP mg-1 protein. Adenosine caused a reduction in the normoxic NMDA-mediated increase in [Ca2+] from a control level of 287 +/- 35 to 103 +/- 22 nmoll-1 (64%). This effect is mediated by the A1 receptor since 8-phenyltheophylline (a specific A1 antagonist) effectively blocked the adenosine effect and N6-cyclopentyladenosine (a specific A1 agonist) elicited a similar decrease in the NMDA-mediated response. Cortical sheets exposed to anoxia alone exhibited a 52% decrease in the NMDA-mediated [Ca2+] rise, from 232 +/- 30 to 111 +/- 9 nmoll-1. The addition of adenosine had no further effect and 8-phenyltheophylline did not antagonize the observed decrease. Therefore, the observed down-regulation of NMDA receptor activity during anoxia must involve additional, as yet unknown, mechanisms.

Effects of isoflurane and hypothermia on glutamate receptor-mediated calcium influx in brain slices

BACKGROUND

To understand how volatile anesthetics protect neurons during cerebral ischemia, we studied the effects of isoflurane on cerebral glutamate receptor-mediated calcium influx. Calcium influx via these key excitatory receptors may mediate pain transmission, memory, and the pathophysiologic sequelae of cerebral anoxia or ischemia. Because cerebral protection by hypothermia may involve a decrease in glutamate receptor activity, we also examined the interaction of temperature and isoflurane on glutamate receptor inhibition.

METHODS

We measured glutamate receptor-mediated changes in cytosolic calcium in 300-microns-thick rat cortical brain slices. Temperature was varied to 28, 34, 37, or 39 degrees C and isoflurane partial pressure to 0.016-0.019 atm (equivalent to 1.16 minimum alveolar concentration [MAC], adjusted for temperature and age). Brain slices were loaded with fura-2 to permit measurement of cytosolic free calcium. Calcium changes due to the glutamate receptor agonist N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) (50 microM), to ischemia levels of L-glutamate (1.0 mM) or to simulated ischemia (1.0 mM glutamate, 100 microM NaCN, and 3.5 mM iodoacetate) was then measured. Slice lactate dehydrogenase leakage and adenosine triphosphate were measured as indices of cellular integrity.

RESULTS

Isoflurane reduced both L-glutamate and NMDA-mediated calcium fluxes by approximately 60%. Neither the activity of the NMDA receptor nor its inhibition by isoflurane was altered by temperature. The rate of calcium influx during ischemia was significantly reduced both by temperature and by isoflurane (P < 0.05). Adenosine triphosphate loss and lactate dehydrogenase leakage were reduced by isoflurane during simulated ischemia by 37% and 73% (P < 0.05), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

(1) At 1.16 MAC, isoflurane potently inhibits glutamate receptors and delays cellular injury induced by simulated ischemia, and (2) hypothermia does not reduce the intrinsic activity of cortical glutamate receptors but delays calcium accumulation during simulated ischemia. Isoflurane reduces the severity of key pathophysiologic events in an in vitro model of simulated cerebral ischemia.

Substrate and acute temperature effects on turtle heart and liver mitochondria

The oxidative properties of heart and liver mitochondria from the Western painted turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii) were characterized on the basis of substrate preferences and temperature sensitivity. Turtle heart and liver mitochondria oxidize most substrates at 2- and 10-fold less, respectively, than rates obtained from the corresponding rat mitochondria. Krebs cycle intermediates, ketone bodies, and glutamate were oxidized at similarly high rates by turtle heart mitochondria (70.0-121.2 nmol O.min-1.mg protein-1). Fatty acylcarnitines were oxidized at approximately one-half of the above rates, and rates of amino acid oxidation were either not detectable or very low. Heart mitochondria oxidize ketone bodies at rates as high as pyruvate plus malate. Liver mitochondria oxidized Krebs cycle intermediates, amino acids, and fatty acids at similarly low rates (3.0-8.0 nmol O.min-1.mg protein-1). Typically, succinate was oxidized at the highest rates, 20.6 +/- 4.0 and 121.2 +/- 1.2 nmol O.min-1.mg protein-1, for liver and heart, respectively. Values for the rate of change of oxidation with a 10 degrees C increase (Q10) from heart and liver mitochondria oxidizing glutamate were calculated over the range 25-5 degrees C in 5 degrees C intervals; over the range 10-5 degrees C, Q10 values were 3.2 and 19.8, respectively. Q10 values calculated over the higher temperature intervals were lower. It is suggested that the large difference in temperature sensitivity between mitochondria from these two tissues and the ability of the heart mitochondria to oxidize ketone bodies at high rates are adaptations to recover from the long anoxic overwintering bouts experienced by this species.

Anoxic suppression of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and constant membrane potential in hepatocytes: support for channel arrest

The maintenance of ion gradients across the plasma membrane by the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase has been shown to utilize a large fraction of the total cellular energy demand. In view of the importance of ion gradients to cellular function, and the remarkable anoxia tolerance of Chrysemys picta bellii (western painted turtle) and hepatocytes isolated from this species, it was of interest to determine if in response to anoxia 1) ion gradients were maintained and 2) if the activity of the plasma membrane Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase changed to aid in ion gradient maintenance. From normoxic hepatocyte suspensions the ouabain-inhibitable 86Rb+ uptake (a measure of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity) was determined, and the rate of ATP utilization was 19.1 mumol ATP.g cells-1.h-1 or 28% of the total normoxic cellular ATP turnover. In response to anoxic incubation the activity of the pump decreased by 75% to 4.8 mumol ATP.g cells-1.h-1 and this comprised 74% of the total anoxic ATP turnover. Presently, it is not known whether the observed reduction in Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity is regulated by 1) allosteric modification, 2) endocytosis from the membrane, or 3) reduced Na+ influx. Plasma membrane potential was measured during anoxia, using the distribution of 36Cl-, and was not significantly different from the normoxic measurement, -30.6 +/- 3.9 and -31.3 +/- 5.8 mV, respectively. Therefore, the plasma membrane ion gradient is maintained during anoxia, and since the activity of the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase decreases, the influx of ions must also decrease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Microcalorimetric measurement of reversible metabolic suppression induced by anoxia in isolated hepatocytes

The metabolic suppression due to anoxia in hepatocytes from the anoxia-tolerant turtle Chrysemys picta bellii was measured directly using microcalorimetric techniques. The normoxic heat flux from hepatocytes in suspension (25 degrees C) was 1.08 +/- 0.08 mW/g cells and decreased by 76% to 0.26 +/- 0.03 mW/g cells in response to anoxic incubation. After an acute decrease in temperature (to 10 degrees C) anoxic heat flux dropped by 96% relative to the normoxic control at 25 degrees C. The relative decrease in heat flux at both temperatures was similar, 76% at 25 degrees C and 68% at 10 degrees C. From the caloric equivalent of glycogen fermentation to lactate the heat flux from lactate production was calculated to be -93 microW/g cells (25 degrees C), and this accounted for 36% of the anoxic heat flux. When the enthalpy change associated with the release of free glucose (from glycogen breakdown) is considered, an additional 6% of the anoxic heat flux can be accounted for. Therefore, a portion of the anoxic heat flux is unaccounted for (58%), resulting in an "exothermic gap." This differs from the normoxically incubated hepatocytes where the indirect calorimetric measurement of heat flux (hepatocyte O2 consumption) could fully account for the calorimetrically measured heat flux. When normoxic hepatocytes were inhibited with cyanide, a rapid suppression in heat flux was observed. Because rapid reequilibration to a lower, cyanide-induced steady state occurred in < 15 min, it is also assumed that there is no short-term Pasteur effect in this tissue.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Response of protein synthesis to anoxia and recovery in anoxia-tolerant hepatocytes

Hepatocytes from the western painted turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii) display a profound metabolic suppression under anoxia. Fractional rates of protein synthesis fell by 92% during 12 h anoxia at 25 degrees C and were indistinguishable from the rate obtained with cycloheximide. Normoxic recovery saw protein synthesis increase to 160% of control values and return to normal after 2 h. The GTP-to-GDP ratio, implicated in the control of translation, fell threefold during anoxia. Purine nucleotide phosphate profiles suggest that this change occurs through increasing concentrations of ADP and GDP, with concentrations of ATP and GTP and total purines remaining constant. The normoxic cost for protein synthesis was calculated at 47.6 +/- 6.8 mmol ATP/g protein. Normoxic protein synthesis accounted for 36% of overall ATP turnover rates, close to the extent of O2 consumption inhibitable by cycloheximide (28%). Under anoxia, the proportion of ATP turnover utilized by protein synthesis did not change significantly. ATP turnover rates for urea synthesis reflected a similar pattern, falling 72% under anoxia. These results reflect the cell's ability to suppress protein synthesis under anoxia in a manner that is coordinated with the reduction in total metabolic rate.

Anoxia-tolerant hepatocytes: model system for study of reversible metabolic suppression

Chrysemys picta bellii is well known for its ability to survive extended anoxic periods and has been widely used as a model system to study anoxic metabolism. Described here is a method for the isolation of anoxia-tolerant hepatocytes from this species. Freshly isolated hepatocytes were determined to be viable based on trypan blue exclusion, gluconeogenic capacity from [14C]lactate, responsiveness to epinephrine and glucagon, and maintenance of cellular adenylate concentrations. Under anoxic conditions for 10 h there was no significant increase in cell staining and no decrease in cellular ATP concentration. Furthermore, the addition of cyanide at the 5-h mark did not result in any significant differences in these parameters; however, iodoacetate added at this time caused trypan blue staining to increase and ATP concentrations to fall. The rate of glucose production from the cells was threefold greater under anoxic than normoxic conditions, underscoring the important role of the liver in supplying substrate during anoxia. From the rate of O2 consumption and rate of lactate production under anaerobic conditions, ATP turnover rates were calculated to be 68.4 +/- 7.2 and 6.5 +/- 0.43 mumol ATP.g-1.h-1, respectively; this corresponds to a 90% decrease in metabolic rate during anoxia. Within a cellular system such as this the more complex regulatory mechanisms involved in a large coordinated reduction in metabolism can be probed.

Mitochondrial and peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation in elasmobranchs

In heart and red muscle of dogfish (Squalus acanthias), the maximal activities of the fatty acid catabolizing enzyme carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) are less than 5% the rate in the same tissues of teleosts (carp, Cyprinus carpio; trout, Salmo gairdneri). CPT activities in these tissues of hagfish (Eptatretus stouti) are approximately 10% the rate in teleosts. However, the maximal activities of the beta-oxidation enzyme beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HOAD) in dogfish red muscle and heart are similar to these tissues in the other species. This paradox prompted a more detailed study on the capacity of mitochondria from dogfish cardiac and red skeletal muscles to utilize fatty acids, possibly by a CPT-independent pathway. Free fatty acids were not oxidized by mitochondria from red muscle (hexanoate, octanoate, decanoate, and palmitate) or from heart (octanoate, palmitate). Neither hyposmotic incubation nor addition of 5 mM ATP could stimulate oxidation of octanoate or palmitate in either preparation, suggesting that these tissues have little capacity to oxidize fatty acids by a carnitine-independent pathway. Palmitoyl carnitine oxidation was detectable at very low rates in these mitochondria only with hyposmotic incubation. Octanoyl carnitine was oxidized at greater rates than palmitoyl carnitine, 10% the rate of pyruvate in both tissues, suggesting that medium-chain fatty acids could be physiologically relevant fuels in elasmobranchs if available to heart and red muscle. One potential source of medium-chain fatty acids is hepatic peroxisomal beta-oxidation, which occurs in dogfish liver at maximal activities similar to carp and trout liver. However, based on relative rates of oxidation, it is likely that dogfish heart and red muscle metabolism are fueled primarily by carbohydrate and ketone bodies.

Oxidative properties of carp red and white muscle

Substrate preferences of isolated mitochondria and maximal enzyme activities were used to assess the oxidative capacities of red muscle (RM) and white muscle (WM) of carp (Cyprinus carpio). A 14-fold higher activity of citrate synthase (CS) in RM reflects the higher mitochondrial density in this tissue. RM mitochondria oxidize pyruvate and fatty acyl carnitines (8:O, 12:O, 16:O) at similarly high rates. WM mitochondria oxidize these fatty acyl carnitines at 35–70% the rate of pyruvate, depending on chain length. WM has only half the carnitine palmitoyl transferase/CS ratio of RM, but similar ratios of beta-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase/CS. Ketone bodies are poor substrates for mitochondria from both tissues. In both tissues mitochondrial alpha-glycerophosphate oxidation was minimal, and alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase was present at low activities, suggesting the alpha-glycerophosphate shuttle is of minor significance in maintaining cytosolic redox balance in either tissue. The mitochondrial oxidation rates of other substrates relative to pyruvate are as follows: alpha-ketoglutarate 90% (RM and WM); glutamate 45% (WM) and 70% (RM); proline 20% (WM) and 45% (RM). Oxidation of neutral amino acids (serine, glycine, alanine, beta-alanine) was not consistently detectable. These data suggest that RM and WM differ in mitochondrial properties as well as mitochondrial abundance. Whereas RM mitochondria appear to be able to utilize a wide range of metabolic fuels (fatty acids, pyruvate, amino acids but not ketone bodies), WM mitochondria appear to be specialized to use pyruvate.