scholarly journals The effect of hyperphenylalaninaemia on glycine metabolism in developing rat brain

1980 ◽  
Vol 192 (2) ◽  
pp. 441-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
C E Isaacs ◽  
O Greengard
Keyword(s):  
Specific Activity ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Early Postnatal Development ◽  
Plasma Phenylalanine ◽  
Glycine Metabolism ◽  
Old Rats ◽  
Branched Chain ◽  
Developing Rat ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Glycine Content

The brains of 3–16-day-old rats that were rendered hyperphenylalaninaemic by daily injections of alpha-methylphenylalanine plus phenylalanine were subjected to biochemical analysis. Fluctuations throughout the treatment period in the concentrations of branched-chain amino acids, methionine and serotonin were in agreement with the known interference of excess plasma phenylalanine with transport. The glycine content, however, became abnormal only by day 5, remained so through the treatment, and the elevation was equally apparent at 4, 8 or 24 h after the last daily injections. On the last day of treatment there were small increases in the taurine, glutamate, aspartate and 4-aminobutyrate concentrations, attributable mainly to the diencephalon or brain stem. After day 3 of treatment there were persistent elevations in the specific activity of phosphoserine phosphatase and glycine synthase (but not serine hydroxymethyltransferase) of the brain in each of the regions analysed. The observations indicate that chronic hyperphenylalaninaemia interferes with the normal regulation of intracerebral glycine metabolism during a critical period of early postnatal development, and suggest that the resulting excess in this amino acid (particularly marked in the cortex) contributes to the behavioural abnormalities that these animals exhibit in later life.

scholarly journals The effect of elevated plasma phenylalanine levels on protein synthesis rates in adult rat brain

1994 ◽  
Vol 302 (2) ◽  
pp. 601-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
D S Dunlop ◽  
X R Yang ◽  
A Lajtha
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Free Amino ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Brain Protein ◽  
Free Amino Acid Pool ◽  
Plasma Phenylalanine ◽  
Specific Activities ◽  
Brain Protein Synthesis ◽  
The Brain

Increasing the plasma phenylalanine concentration to levels as high as 0.560-0.870 mM (over ten times normal levels) had no detectable effect on the rate of brain protein synthesis in adult rats. The average rates for 7-week-old rats were: valine, 0.58 +/- 0.05%/h, phenylalanine, 0.59 +/- 0.06%/h, and tyrosine, 0.60 +/- 0.09%/h, or 0.59 +/- 0.06%/h overall. Synthesis rates calculated on the basis of the specific activity of the tRNA-bound amino acid were slightly lower (4% lower for phenylalanine) than those based on the brain free amino acid pool. Similarly, the specific activities of valine and phenylalanine in microdialysis fluid from striatum were practically the same as those in the brain free amino acid pool. Thus the specific activities of the valine and phenylalanine brain free pools are good measures of the precursor specific activity for protein synthesis. In any event, synthesis rates, whether based on the specific activities of the amino acids in the brain free pool or those bound to tRNA, were unaffected by elevated levels of plasma phenylalanine. Brain protein synthesis rates measured after the administration of quite large doses of phenylalanine (> 1.5 mumol/g) or valine (15 mumol/g) were in agreement (0.62 +/- 0.01 and 0.65 +/- 0.01%/h respectively) with the rates determined with infusions of trace amounts of amino acids. Thus the technique of stabilizing precursor-specific activity, and pushing values in the brain close to those of the plasma, by the administration of large quantities of precursor, appears to be valid.

scholarly journals Effect of phenylalanine on protein synthesis in the developing rat brain

1970 ◽  
Vol 117 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. C. Agrawal ◽  
A. H. Bone ◽  
A. N. Davison
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Rat Brain ◽  
Free Amino ◽  
Myelin Proteins ◽  
Free Amino Acid Pool ◽  
Adult Rat ◽  
Adult Rat Brain ◽  
Old Rats ◽  
Developing Rat ◽  
The Brain

1. Inhibition of the rate of incorporation of [35S]methionine into protein by phenylalanine was more effective in 18-day-old than in 8-day-old or adult rat brain. 2. Among the subcellular fractions incorporation of [35S]methionine into myelin proteins was most inhibited in 18-day-old rat brain. 3. Transport of [35S]methionine and [14C]leucine into the brain acid-soluble pool was significantly decreased in 18-day-old rats by phenylalanine (2mg/g body wt.). The decrease of the two amino acids in the acid-soluble pool equalled the inhibition of their rate of incorporation into the protein. 4. Under identical conditions, entry of [14C]glycine into the brain acid-soluble pool and incorporation into protein and uptake of [14C]acetate into lipid was not affected by phenylalanine. 5. It is proposed that decreased myelin synthesis seen in hyperphenylalaninaemia or phenylketonuria may be due to alteration of the free amino acid pool in the brain during the vulnerable period of brain development. Amyelination may be one of many causes of mental retardation seen in phenylketonuria.

scholarly journals Expression of myelin basic protein gene in the developing rat brain as revealed by in situ hybridization.

1986 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 467-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Kristensson ◽  
N K Zeller ◽  
M E Dubois-Dalcq ◽  
R A Lazzarini
Keyword(s):  
In Situ Hybridization ◽  
Myelin Basic Protein ◽  
Basic Protein ◽  
Seventh Cranial Nerve ◽  
Myelin Basic Protein Gene ◽  
Old Rats ◽  
Developing Rat ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Specific Mrna

The developmental program controlling the expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) gene was studied in the rat using the technique of in situ hybridization. A 35S-labeled cDNA clone of mouse MBP encoding an amino acid sequence present in all four of the major forms of rodent MBP was used. The probe hybridized to the tracts of white matter with different intensities, depending on the age of the animal and the region of the brain examined. In the medulla oblongata, maximal hybridization was found in 5- and 7-day-old rats and was confined to the tectospinal tracts, fibers of the seventh cranial nerve, and the spinocerebellar tracts. By 12 days the amount of MBP mRNA had decreased in these areas. In the cerebrum, the greatest amount of MBP mRNA was observed in 17-day-old rats in the radiations of the corpus callosum. Thereafter, the levels decreased but could still be observed in the adult animals. Thus, using this technique, we have been able to demonstrate that the level of MBP-specific mRNA correlates closely with the development of myelin in different regions of the brain.

Alterations in glutamate dehydrogenase of the brain of rats of various ages

1970 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gyan Kaur ◽  
M. S. Kanungo
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Enzyme Activity ◽  
Glutamate Dehydrogenase ◽  
Nervous Tissue ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Old Rats ◽  
Total Dna ◽  
Regulatory Effects ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Inhibited Enzyme

The activity of glutamate dehydrogenase of the brain of 6-, 22-, 52-, and 96-week-old rats was determined. The specific activity, units per milligram DNA and units per organ, increased with growth and was highest at 22 weeks. This was probably due to a higher rate of protein synthesis during growth since the total DNA content did not change during this period. The activity declined in old age. Some biogenic amines, endogenous to nervous tissue and possibly having neurotransmitter functions, such as 5-hydroxy-tryptamine (5-HT), acetylcholine (ACh), and norepinephrine (NEp), inhibited enzyme activity; epinephrine (Ep) stimulated enzyme activity at all ages. Studies on the effects of various concentrations of the transmitters showed that the concentrations of 5-HT, ACh, NEp, and Ep producing significant regulatory effects on the enzyme may be 0.048, 0.18, 0.05, and 0.025 mg/ml, respectively.

scholarly journals The uptake of radioactive copper by the brain and other tissues of the developing rat

1970 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 727-734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deirdre Ryan ◽  
P. J. Warren
Keyword(s):  
Aqueous Solution ◽  
Initial Dose ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Copper Chloride ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Body ◽  
Steady Decrease ◽  
Liver And Kidney ◽  
Developing Rat ◽  
The Brain

1. 64Cu as copper chloride in aqueous solution was given by intraperitoneal injection to rats varying in age from a few hours to 14 weeks. The isotope was allowed to circulate in the body for 24 h.2. The amount of gamma radioactivity present in the brain and blood was measured and the percentage of the initial dose present was calculated. It was shown that the brain 64Cu activity reached a maximum around the 16th day of life and that the blood showed a steady decrease in the 64Cu activity per g from birth to maturity. Measurements were also made on the liver and kidney.3. The excretion of 64Cu in the urine and faeces in 24 h was also studied. Approximately 30% of the isotope was excreted in that time, mostly in the faeces.4. A limited number of experiments in three different age groups were carried out to discover whether changes in specific activity of the isotope given to rats had a significant effect on the percentage of 64Cu taken up by the brain and blood. No such effect was seen.

Changes in markers of brain serotonin activity in response to chronic exercise in senior men

2014 ◽  
Vol 39 (11) ◽  
pp. 1250-1256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel O. Melancon ◽  
Dominique Lorrain ◽  
Isabelle J. Dionne
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Ventilatory Threshold ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Peak Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Brain Serotonin ◽  
Antidepressant Effect ◽  
Chronic Exercise ◽  
Branched Chain ◽  
The Brain

Aging is associated with noticeable impairments in brain serotonin transmission, which might contribute to increased vulnerability to developing depression in later life. Animal and human studies have shown that aerobic exercise can stimulate brain serotonin activity and trigger parallel elevations in tryptophan (TRP, the serotonin precursor) availability in blood plasma. However, the influence of chronic exercise on serotonergic activity in older adults is not yet known. Sixteen men aged 64 ± 3 years exercised for 1 h (67%–70% peak oxygen consumption) at baseline and following 16 weeks of aerobic training. The main outcome measures were cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), TRP, prolactin, lactate, and free fatty acids (FFA). Changes in plasma free-TRP/BCAA and prolactin served as surrogates for TRP availability and serotonin activity, respectively. Chronic exercise decreased body mass (P < 0.05) whilst it increased ventilatory threshold 2 (P < 0.01). Although training did not affect plasma TRP availability to the brain at rest, both pre- and post-training exercise challenges markedly increased TRP availability (P < 0.001). The free-TRP/BCAA values reached a ceiling during exercise that was lower following training (P < 0.05), whereas similar patterns were found for prolactin, lactate, and FFA. These data show that aerobic exercise elicits consistent transient elevations in plasma TRP availability to the brain in older men; the elevations were independent from physical training, although less pronounced following training. The data support the contention that repeated elevations in brain serotonin activity might be involved in the antidepressant effect of exercise training in older adults.

Endotoxin Alteration of the Mucopolysaccharide Blood Vessel Coating in Rats

1974 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 148-149
Author(s):  
D. E. Philpott ◽  
A. Takahashi
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Salivary Gland ◽  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Basement Membrane ◽  
Coronary Vessels ◽  
Ruthenium Red ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Old Rats ◽  
The Brain

Two month, eight month and two year old rats were treated with 10 or 20 mg/kg of E. Coli endotoxin I. P. The eight month old rats proved most resistant to the endotoxin. During fixation the aorta, carotid artery, basil arartery of the brain, coronary vessels of the heart, inner surfaces of the heart chambers, heart and skeletal muscle, lung, liver, kidney, spleen, brain, retina, trachae, intestine, salivary gland, adrenal gland and gingiva were treated with ruthenium red or alcian blue to preserve the mucopolysaccharide (MPS) coating. Five, 8 and 24 hrs of endotoxin treatment produced increasingly marked capillary damage, disappearance of the MPS coating, edema, destruction of endothelial cells and damage to the basement membrane in the liver, kidney and lung.

scholarly journals A novel PET tracer 18F-deoxy-thiamine: synthesis, metabolic kinetics, and evaluation on cerebral thiamine metabolism status

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Changpeng Wang ◽  
Siwei Zhang ◽  
Yuefei Zou ◽  
Hongzhao Ma ◽  
Donglang Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
High Accumulation ◽  
Metabolic Kinetics ◽  
Thiamine Metabolism ◽  
Pet Tracer ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Background Some neuropsychological diseases are associated with abnormal thiamine metabolism, including Korsakoff–Wernicke syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease. However, in vivo detection of the status of brain thiamine metabolism is still unavailable and needs to be developed. Methods A novel PET tracer of 18F-deoxy-thiamine was synthesized using an automated module via a two-step route. The main quality control parameters, such as specific activity and radiochemical purity, were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Radiochemical concentration was determined by radioactivity calibrator. Metabolic kinetics and the level of 18F-deoxy-thiamine in brains of mice and marmosets were studied by micro-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). In vivo stability, renal excretion rate, and biodistribution of 18F-deoxy-thiamine in the mice were assayed using HPLC and γ-counter, respectively. Also, the correlation between the retention of cerebral 18F-deoxy-thiamine in 60 min after injection as represented by the area under the curve (AUC) and blood thiamine levels was investigated. Results The 18F-deoxy-thiamine was stable both in vitro and in vivo. The uptake and clearance of 18F-deoxy-thiamine were quick in the mice. It reached the max standard uptake value (SUVmax) of 4.61 ± 0.53 in the liver within 1 min, 18.67 ± 7.04 in the kidney within half a minute. The SUV dropped to 0.72 ± 0.05 and 0.77 ± 0.35 after 60 min of injection in the liver and kidney, respectively. After injection, kidney, liver, and pancreas exhibited high accumulation level of 18F-deoxy-thiamine, while brain, muscle, fat, and gonad showed low accumulation concentration, consistent with previous reports on thiamine distribution in mice. Within 90 min after injection, the level of 18F-deoxy-thiamine in the brain of C57BL/6 mice with thiamine deficiency (TD) was 1.9 times higher than that in control mice, and was 3.1 times higher in ICR mice with TD than that in control mice. The AUC of the tracer in the brain of marmosets within 60 min was 29.33 ± 5.15 and negatively correlated with blood thiamine diphosphate levels (r = − 0.985, p = 0.015). Conclusion The 18F-deoxy-thiamine meets the requirements for ideal PET tracer for in vivo detecting the status of cerebral thiamine metabolism.

scholarly journals Utilization in vivo of glucose and volatile fatty acids by sheep brain for the synthesis of acidic amino acids

1966 ◽  
Vol 101 (3) ◽  
pp. 591-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
R M O'Neal ◽  
R E Koeppe ◽  
E I Williams
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Glutamic Acid ◽  
Aspartic Acid ◽  
Free Amino Acids ◽  
Free Amino ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle ◽  
Sheep Brain ◽  
The Brain

1. Free glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glutamic acid from glutamine and, in some instances, the glutamic acid from glutathione and the aspartic acid from N-acetyl-aspartic acid were isolated from the brains of sheep and assayed for radioactivity after intravenous injection of [2-(14)C]glucose, [1-(14)C]acetate, [1-(14)C]butyrate or [2-(14)C]propionate. These brain components were also isolated and analysed from rats that had been given [2-(14)C]propionate. The results indicate that, as in rat brain, glucose is by far the best precursor of the free amino acids of sheep brain. 2. Degradation of the glutamate of brain yielded labelling patterns consistent with the proposal that the major route of pyruvate metabolism in brain is via acetyl-CoA, and that the short-chain fatty acids enter the brain without prior metabolism by other tissue and are metabolized in brain via the tricarboxylic acid cycle. 3. When labelled glucose was used as a precursor, glutamate always had a higher specific activity than glutamine; when labelled fatty acids were used, the reverse was true. These findings add support and complexity to the concept of the metabolic; compartmentation' of the free amino acids of brain. 4. The results from experiments with labelled propionate strongly suggest that brain metabolizes propionate via succinate and that this metabolic route may be a limited but important source of dicarboxylic acids in the brain.

Maturational changes in the regulation of pulmonary vascular tone by nitric oxide in neonatal rats

2007 ◽  
Vol 293 (5) ◽  
pp. L1261-L1270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis G. Chicoine ◽  
Michael L. Paffett ◽  
Mark R. Girton ◽  
Matthew J. Metropoulus ◽  
Mandar S. Joshi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Guanylyl Cyclase ◽  
Vascular Tone ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase ◽  
No Production ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
No Donor ◽  
Early Postnatal Development ◽  
Old Rats

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important regulator of vasomotor tone in the pulmonary circulation. We tested the hypothesis that the role NO plays in regulating vascular tone changes during early postnatal development. Isolated, perfused lungs from 7- and 14-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were studied. Baseline total pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) was not different between age groups. The addition of KCl to the perfusate caused a concentration-dependent increase in PVR that did not differ between age groups. However, the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor Nω-nitro-l-arginine augmented the K+-induced increase in PVR in both groups, and the effect was greater in lungs from 14-day-old rats vs. 7-day-old rats. Lung levels of total endothelial, inducible, and neuronal NOS proteins were not different between groups; however, the production rate of exhaled NO was greater in lungs from 14-day-old rats compared with those of 7-day-old rats. Vasodilation to 0.1 μM of the NO donor spermine NONOate was greater in 14-day lungs than in 7-day lungs, and lung levels of both soluble guanylyl cyclase and cGMP were greater at 14 days than at 7 days. Vasodilation to 100 μM of the cGMP analog 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)guanosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate was greater in 7-day lungs than in 14-day lungs. Our results demonstrate that the pulmonary vascular bed depends more on NO production to modulate vascular tone at 14 days than at 7 days of age. The observed differences in NO sensitivity may be due to maturational increases in soluble guanylyl cyclase protein levels.

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