Lactate utilization as an energy substrate in ischemic preconditioned rat brain slices

Neuroinflammation as a Key Driver of Secondary Neurodegeneration Following Stroke?

Ischaemic stroke involves the rapid onset of focal neurological dysfunction, most commonly due to an arterial blockage in a specific region of the brain. Stroke is a leading cause of death and common cause of disability, with over 17 million people worldwide suffering from a stroke each year. It is now well-documented that neuroinflammation and immune mediators play a key role in acute and long-term neuronal tissue damage and healing, not only in the infarct core but also in distal regions. Importantly, in these distal regions, termed sites of secondary neurodegeneration (SND), spikes in neuroinflammation may be seen sometime after the initial stroke onset, but prior to the presence of the neuronal tissue damage within these regions. However, it is key to acknowledge that, despite the mounting information describing neuroinflammation following ischaemic stroke, the exact mechanisms whereby inflammatory cells and their mediators drive stroke-induced neuroinflammation are still not fully understood. As a result, current anti-inflammatory treatments have failed to show efficacy in clinical trials. In this review we discuss the complexities of post-stroke neuroinflammation, specifically how it affects neuronal tissue and post-stroke outcome acutely, chronically, and in sites of SND. We then discuss current and previously assessed anti-inflammatory therapies, with a particular focus on how failed anti-inflammatories may be repurposed to target SND-associated neuroinflammation.

Altered Properties of Neurons and Astrocytes and the Effects of Food Components in Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

ABSTRACT

In stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP), stroke induces neuronal vulnerability and neuronal death, while astrocytes show a weakened support function toward neurons. Moreover, certain food components have been demonstrated to prevent the occurrence of stroke. This review aims to explain the stroke-related properties of SHRSP-derived neurons and astrocytes. In addition, it describes the effects of particular dietary phytochemicals on SHRSP. In this study, we obtained information using PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science. We searched for the functions of neurons and astrocytes and the molecular mechanism of ischemic stroke induction. We summarized the recent literature on the underlying mechanisms of stroke onset in SHRSP and the alleviating effects of typical food-derived phytochemical components. Neuronal death in SHRSP is induced by hypoxia-reoxygenation, suggesting the involvement of oxidative stress. Furthermore, the production of lactate, l-serine, and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in SHRSP-derived astrocytes was reduced compared with that in control Wistar-Kyoto rats. Vitamin E exerts an inhibitory effect on hypoxia-reoxygenation-induced neuronal death in SHRSP. Curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, resveratrol, and carotenoids can prevent the development of stroke in SHRSP. In particular, the properties of SHRSP-derived neurons and astrocytes affect stroke-induced neuronal death. This review suggests the potential and therapeutic applications of dietary phytochemicals in reducing stroke risk and lowering blood pressure in SHRSP, respectively, by targeting various processes, including oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation. Thus, future research on SHRSP brain cells with a genetic predisposition to stroke can consider using these food ingredients to develop approaches for stroke prevention.

Astrocytic nutritional dysfunction associated with hypoxia-induced neuronal vulnerability in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

Stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) is a valuable animal model to investigate human strokes. SHRSP Izumo strain (Izm) neurons are highly sensitive to blood supply changes. Furthermore, SHRSP/Izm astrocytes show various abnormalities upon hypoxic stimulation compared to control Wistar Kyoto (WKY/Izm) rats. This study aimed to describe stroke-related characteristics of SHRSP/Izm-derived neurons and astrocytes. In addition, we discuss the role of astrocytes in the development of stroke in SHRSP/Izm model. In SHRSP/Izm, neuronal death is induced upon reoxygenation after hypoxia. Furthermore, it was shown that SHRSP/Izm astrocytes show significantly reduced lactate production and supply ability to nerve cells when subjected to hypoxic stimulation. In particular, decreased lactate production and monocarboxylic acid transporter (MCT) expression in SHRSP/Izm astrocytes are factors that induce neuronal cell death. Remarkable differences in glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) expression and L-serine production were also observed in SHRSP/Izm-derived astrocytes compared to WKY/Izm. Reduced production of both GDNF and L-serine contributes to diminished neuronal survival. The differences between SHRSP/Izm and WKY/Izm astrocyte cellular properties may contribute to compromised neuronal nutrition and induction of neuronal death. These properties are likely to be the factors that enhance stroke in SHRSP/Izm.

Sodium bicarbonate treatment during transient or sustained lactic acidemia in normoxic and normotensive rats

Introduction

Lactic acidosis is a frequent cause of poor outcome in the intensive care settings. We set up an experimental model of lactic acid infusion in normoxic and normotensive rats to investigate the systemic effects of lactic acidemia per se without the confounding factor of an underlying organic cause of acidosis.

Methodology

Sprague Dawley rats underwent a primed endovenous infusion of L(+) lactic acid during general anesthesia. Normoxic and normotensive animals were then randomized to the following study groups (n = 8 per group): S) sustained infusion of lactic acid, S+B) sustained infusion+sodium bicarbonate, T) transient infusion, T+B transient infusion+sodium bicarbonate. Hemodynamic, respiratory and acid-base parameters were measured over time. Lactate pharmacokinetics and muscle phosphofructokinase enzyme's activity were also measured.

Principal Findings

Following lactic acid infusion blood lactate rose (P<0.05), pH (P<0.05) and strong ion difference (P<0.05) drop. Some rats developed hemodynamic instability during the primed infusion of lactic acid. In the normoxic and normotensive animals bicarbonate treatment normalized pH during sustained infusion of lactic acid (from 7.22±0.02 to 7.36±0.04, P<0.05) while overshoot to alkalemic values when the infusion was transient (from 7.24±0.01 to 7.53±0.03, P<0.05). When acid load was interrupted bicarbonate infusion affected lactate wash-out kinetics (P<0.05) so that blood lactate was higher (2.9±1 mmol/l vs. 1.0±0.2, P<0.05, group T vs. T+B respectively). The activity of phosphofructokinase enzyme was correlated with blood pH (R2 = 0.475, P<0.05).

Conclusions

pH decreased with acid infusion and rose with bicarbonate administration but the effects of bicarbonate infusion on pH differed under a persistent or transient acid load. Alkalization affected the rate of lactate disposal during the transient acid load.

Neuroprotective effects of ethyl pyruvate on brain energy metabolism after ischemia-reperfusion injury: a 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance study

The neuroprotective effects of ethyl pyruvate (EP), a stable derivative of pyruvate, on energy metabolism of rat brain exposed to ischemia-reperfusion stress were investigated by (31)P-nuclear magnetic resonance ((31)P-NMR) spectroscopy. Recovery level of phosphocreatine after ischemia was significantly greater when superfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) with 2 mM EP than when superfused with ACSF without EP. EP was neuroprotective against ischemia only when administered before the ischemic exposure. Intracellular pH during ischemia was less acidic when superfused ahead of time with EP. EP did not show neuroprotective effects in neuron-rich slices pretreated with 100 microM fluorocitrate, a selective glial poison. It was suggested that both the administration of EP before ischemic exposure and the presence of astrocytes are required for EP to exert neuroprotective effects. We suggest the potential involvement of multiple mechanisms of action, such as less acidic intracellular pH, glial production of lactate, and radical scavenging ability.

Molecular physiology of preconditioning-induced brain tolerance to ischemia

Ischemic tolerance describes the adaptive biological response of cells and organs that is initiated by preconditioning (i.e., exposure to stressor of mild severity) and the associated period during which their resistance to ischemia is markedly increased. This topic is attracting much attention because preconditioning-induced ischemic tolerance is an effective experimental probe to understand how the brain protects itself. This review is focused on the molecular and related functional changes that are associated with, and may contribute to, brain ischemic tolerance. When the tolerant brain is subjected to ischemia, the resulting insult severity (i.e., residual blood flow, disruption of cellular transmembrane gradients) appears to be the same as in the naive brain, but the ensuing lesion is substantially reduced. This suggests that the adaptive changes in the tolerant brain may be primarily directed against postischemic and delayed processes that contribute to ischemic damage, but adaptive changes that are beneficial during the subsequent test insult cannot be ruled out. It has become clear that multiple effectors contribute to ischemic tolerance, including: 1) activation of fundamental cellular defense mechanisms such as antioxidant systems, heat shock proteins, and cell death/survival determinants; 2) responses at tissue level, especially reduced inflammatory responsiveness; and 3) a shift of the neuronal excitatory/inhibitory balance toward inhibition. Accordingly, an improved knowledge of preconditioning/ischemic tolerance should help us to identify neuroprotective strategies that are similar in nature to combination therapy, hence potentially capable of suppressing the multiple, parallel pathophysiological events that cause ischemic brain damage.

Glucose Oxidase-immobilized Glass Disks for Imaging of D-Glucose in Acute Brain Slices

A biotinylated glucose oxidase (bGOD)-immobilized glass disk was prepared for visualizing D-glucose fluxes in acute brain slices. A mouse hippocampal slice was placed on the bGOD disk and stimulated with a stimulant solution containing horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and a substrate DA-64, followed by capturing digital images of Bindschedler's Green (BG), an oxidized form of DA-64, with a CCD camera. The bGOD membranes responded proportionally to D-glucose, ranging from 2.0 to 5.0 mM. Sucrose, GABA, L-glutamic acid, L-aspartic acid, glycine, acetylcholine and L-ascorbic acid at 10 mM did not cause any responses. The D-glucose fluxes in mouse hippocampal slices stimulated by a hypoxia solution were neuronal region-dependent, i.e., dentate gyrus (DG), cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) and cornu ammonis 3 (CA3), while those stimulated by KCl was independent of the neuronal regions. The response of bGOD disks is discussed in terms of the principle, concentration dependence and selectivity.

Understanding of cerebral energy metabolism by dynamic living brain slice imaging system with [18F]FDG

Recently, lactate has been receiving great attention as an energy substrate in the brain. In this study, the role of lactate was evaluated by "bioradiography" system with 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-d-glucose ([(18)F]FDG), which is a positron emitting radiotracer for glucose uptake quantification. "Bioradiography" is the dynamic living tissue slice imaging system for positron-emitter labeled compounds. We investigated the brain energy metabolism under resting state and neural activated conditions induced by KCl addition. The monocarboxylate transporter inhibitor, alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate (4-CIN), had no effect on [(18)F]FDG uptake rate in rat brain slices before KCl addition. On the other hand, addition of 4-CIN induced larger [(18)F]FDG uptake rates under the activated condition in comparison with the control condition. Because neurons cannot utilize lactate under the 4-CIN loaded conditions, this indicates that activated neurons consume lactate as an energy substrate. The lactate concentration in the incubation medium was increased with KCl treatment in both groups and the extent was slightly greater in 4-CIN group. These results suggested that: (1) the brain mainly uses glucose, not lactate, as an energy substrate in resting state; (2) when neuron is stimulated, excess amounts of lactate might be produced in astrocytes and the lactate is mobilized as an energy substrate.

Brain mitochondria contain aquaporin water channels: evidence for the expression of a short AQP9 isoform in the inner mitochondrial membrane

Aquaporins are a family of water channels found in animals, plants, and microorganisms. A subfamily of aquaporins, the aquaglyceroporins, are permeable for water as well as certain solutes such as glycerol, lactate, and urea. Here we show that the brain contains two isoforms of AQP9--an aquaglyceroporin with a particularly broad substrate specificity--and that the more prevalent of these isoforms is expressed in brain mitochondria. The mitochondrial AQP9 isoform is detected as an approximately 25 kDa band in immunoblots. This isoform is likely to correspond to a new AQP9 mRNA that is obtained by alternative splicing and has a shorter ORF than the liver isoform. Subfractionation experiments and high-resolution immunogold analyses revealed that this novel AQP9 isoform is enriched in mitochondrial inner membranes. AQP9 immunopositive mitochondria occurred in astrocytes throughout the brain and in a subpopulation of neurons in the substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area, and arcuate nucleus. In the latter structures, the AQP9 immunopositive mitochondria were located in neurons that were also immunopositive for tyrosine hydroxylase, as demonstrated by double labeling immunogold electron microscopy. Our findings suggest that mitochondrial AQP9 is a hallmark of astrocytes and midbrain dopaminergic neurons. In physiological conditions, the flux of lactate and other metabolites through AQP9 may confer an advantage by allowing the mitochondria to adjust to the metabolic status of the extramitochondrial cytoplasm. We hypothesize that the complement of mitochondrial AQP9 in dopaminergic neurons may relate to the vulnerability of these neurons in Parkinson's disease.

Astrocytic contributions to bioenergetics of cerebral ischemia

Astrocytes are multifunctional cells that interact with neurons and other astrocytes in signaling and metabolic functions, and their resistance to pathophysiological conditions can help restrict loss of tissue after an ischemic event provided adequate nutrients are supplied to support their requirements. Astrocytes have substantial oxidative capacity and mechanisms to upregulate glycolytic capability when respiration is impaired. An astrocytic enzyme that synthesizes a powerful activator of glycolysis is not present in neurons, endowing astrocytes with the ability to sustain ATP production under restrictive conditions. The monocarboxylic acid transporter (MCT) isoforms predominating in astrocytes are optimized to facilitate very large increases in lactate flux as lactate concentration increases within (1-3 mM) and above (>3 mM) the normal range. In sharp contrast, the major neuronal MCT serves as a barrier to increased transmembrane transport as lactate rises above 1 mM, restricting both entry and efflux. Lactate can serve as fuel during recovery from ischemia but direct evidence that lactate is oxidized by neurons (vs. astrocytes) to maintain synaptic function is lacking. Astrocytes have critical roles in regulation of ionic homeostasis and control of extracellular glutamate levels, and spreading depression associated with ischemia places high demands on energy supplies in astrocytes and contributes to metabolic exhaustion and demise. Disruption of Ca2+ homeostasis, generation of oxygen free radicals and nitric oxide, and mitochondrial depolarization contribute to astrocyte death during and after a metabolic insult. Novel pharmaceutical agents targeted to astrocytes and hyperoxic therapy that restores penumbral oxygen level during energy failure might improve postischemic outcome.