Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil; Exact and Biological Sciences Institute, Biological Sciences Department, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil.
Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2019 Nov;95:142-150. doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2019.04.002. Epub 2019 Apr 22.
Astrocytes are a unique and dynamic subtype of glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS). Understanding their biochemical reactions and their influence in the surrounding cells is extremely important in the neuroscience field. They exert important influence in the neurotransmission, ionic homeostasis and also release neuroactive molecules termed gliotransmitters. Additionally, they metabolize, store and release metabolic substrates to meet high brain energy requirements. In this review, we highlight the main biochemical reactions regarding energy metabolism that take place in astrocytes. Special attention is given to synthesis, storage and catabolism of glucose, release of lactate, oxidation of fatty acids, production of ketone bodies, and metabolism of the main neurotransmitters, glutamate and GABA. The recent findings allow proposing these cells as key players controlling the energetic homeostasis in the CNS.
星形胶质细胞是中枢神经系统（CNS）中独特而活跃的神经胶质细胞亚型。了解它们的生化反应及其对周围细胞的影响在神经科学领域非常重要。它们在神经传递、离子稳态以及释放神经活性分子（称为神经递质）方面发挥着重要作用。此外，它们还代谢、储存和释放代谢底物，以满足大脑的高能量需求。在这篇综述中，我们重点介绍了星形胶质细胞中发生的主要能量代谢生化反应。特别关注葡萄糖的合成、储存和分解代谢、乳酸盐的释放、脂肪酸的氧化、酮体的产生以及主要神经递质谷氨酸和 GABA 的代谢。最近的发现表明，这些细胞可以作为控制中枢神经系统能量稳态的关键因素。
