Scientific Center of Neurology, Brain Research Department, Russian Academy of Medical Science, Moscow, Russia.
Int J Neurosci. 2011 Aug;121(8):415-22. doi: 10.3109/00207454.2011.570464. Epub 2011 May 17.
In this review, we discuss the role of glutamine in the nervous system as a precursor of the excitatory neuromediator glutamate, on one hand, and as an energy substrate for mitochondria in nerve and glial cells during normal and pathological processes, on the other hand. Particular attention is devoted to the functioning of the glutamine-glutamate cycle enzymes during brain ischemia and hypoglycemia and to processes of neuromediator regeneration in neurons. We thoroughly discuss the role of glutamine synthetase in mechanisms of ammonium detoxification and the role of glutamine as a possible factor in astrocyte damage. The analyzed data suggest that the constant maintenance of optimal concentrations and ratio of glutamine to glutamate in nerve tissue is not only critically important for the normal functioning of nervous system, but is also necessary for neuron and astrocyte viability.
在这篇综述中，我们讨论了谷氨酰胺在神经系统中的双重作用：一方面，它是兴奋性神经递质谷氨酸的前体；另一方面，它又是神经和神经胶质细胞线粒体在正常和病理过程中的能量底物。本文特别关注谷氨酰胺-谷氨酸循环酶在脑缺血和低血糖中的作用，以及神经元中神经递质再生的过程。我们深入探讨了谷氨酰胺合成酶在铵解毒机制中的作用，以及谷氨酰胺作为一种可能的星形胶质细胞损伤因子的作用。分析数据表明，在神经组织中持续维持谷氨酰胺和谷氨酸的最佳浓度和比例不仅对神经系统的正常功能至关重要，而且对神经元和星形胶质细胞的存活也是必需的。
