Simultaneous Measurement of Neuronal and Astroglial Metabolism in Mouse Brain

INTRODUCTION: In vivo experiments conducted by infusing C labeled substrates (glucose and acetate) together with C NMR spectroscopy have given important insight for the neuronal and astroglial metabolism. These studies have established that neurotransmitter cycle is stoichiometrically coupled to the neuronal glucose oxidation indicating neurotransmitter energetics is supported by oxidative glucose metabolism.However, these measurements were conducted with either glucose or acetate for the measurement of neuronal or astroglial function. It is desirable to investigate neuronal and astroglial metabolism together. In this study we have used a novel approach of infusion of [U-C6]glucose and [2-C]acetate together with C NMR spectroscopy to study neuronal and astroglial metabolism simultaneously.