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Cerebral amino acid levels and uptake in rats after portocaval anastomosis : I. Regional studies in vitro
Author(s) -
Zanchin Giorgio,
Rigotti Paolo,
Bettineschi Fulvio,
Vassanelli Paolo,
Battistin Leontino
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.490040406
Subject(s) - amino acid , valine , methionine , incubation , phenylalanine , cerebellum , anastomosis , medicine , alanine , biochemistry , hyperammonemia , histidine , leucine , endocrinology , pons , in vitro , metabolism , chemistry , biology , surgery
Uptake of various amino acids was studied in slices from brain regions of rats four weeks after portocaval anastomosis. No differences of the inulin compartment were observed between control and experimental animals. After 60‐minutes incubation, uptake showed an overall pattern of diminution. This was more evident for some amino acids: valine, methionine, and lysine exhibited a lowering of about 30%, which was fairly uniform in the four tested regions; others showed a regional decrease – alanine in pons‐medulla, phenylalanine in cerebellum, histidine and GABA in mesodiencephalon. This decrease did not seem to be related to transport classes. The restricted entry of amino acids into brain cells in portocaval encephalopathy is somewhat difficult to explain; a decreased rate of protein synthesis may be of some importance, but other factors, such as a “carrier” impairment, effects on release and on amino acid metabolism, may also be involved.