Schoenfeld 2023 MiP2023
A view on brain's problem with fatty acid burning. |
Link: MiP2023 Obergurgl AT
Schoenfeld Peter (2023)
Event: MiP2023 Obergurgl AT
Authors: SchΓΆnfeld P, Reiser G
Distinct hypothalamic neurons sense blood levels of fatty acids (FA) and, thereby regulate caloric intake. Astrocytes have some capacity of Ξ²-oxidation. But, there are ongoing discussions on this question: Do neurons generally burn FA for energy generation?
Respiration and membrane potential of mitochondria of rat brain (RBM) and, for comparison, of liver (RLM) were measured without and with octanoate (l-octanoylcarnitine). In addition, H2O2 generation was measured with Amplex Red.
In line with previous studies, we found no evidence for a noteworthy Ξ²-oxidation of FA by RBM. This fits with theoretical considerations (1) and values obtained for capacities of enzymes of Ξ²-oxidation (2). But, these results contradict those of a previous study (3), reporting that RBM incubated with mixtures of FA (carnitine derivatives) plus other substrates (e.g. succinate) show substantial Ξ²-oxidation.
What could be possible reasons for disregarding FA as energy substrates by neurons? These are mainly: (a) Harmful activities of non-esterified long-chain FA on mitochondria. (b) Burning of FA costs more oxygen than glucose burning with respect to the energy yield. (c) FA oxidation by mitochondria is associated with more sites of superoxide generation. (d) Neurons are equipped with poor antioxidative capacity. In conclusion, burning of FA would expose neurons to intolerably high oxidative stress.
- Speijer D (2011] Oxygen radicals shaping evolution: Why fatty acid catabolism leads to peroxisomes while neurons do without it. https://doi.org/10.1002/bies.201000097
- Yang SY, He XY, Schultz H (1987) Fatty acid oxidation in rat brain is limited by the low activity of 3-ketoacyl-coenzyme A thiolase. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9258(18)45161-7
- Panov A, Orynbayeva Z, Vavilin V, Lyakhovich V (2014) Fatty acids in energy metabolism of the central nervous system. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/472459
β’ O2k-Network Lab: DE Magdeburg Schoenfeld P
Affiliation
- Otto-von-Guericke UniversitΓ€t, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Corresponding author: [email protected]
Labels: MiParea: Respiration
Organism: Rat
Tissue;cell: Nervous system, Liver
Regulation: Fatty acid
Event: Oral