Polarographic measurement of oxygen uptake by astrocytes in primary cultures using the tissue-culture flask as the respirometer chamber.

Oxygen uptake was measured in primary cultures of astrocytes from the brain hemispheres of newborn DBA mice by the aid of an oxygen electrode inserted directly into the culture flask, i.e. using the flask, completely filled with MEM medium, as the respirometer chamber. The respiration was initially intense (300 mumol per hr per 100 mg protein) but declined somewhat during the 6 hr of measurement, probably due to a depletion of intermediary metabolites released to the large surplus of medium. The respiratory rates were approximately identical in the presence of a CO2/bicarbonate and a HEPES buffer. Exposure to a high concentration of potassium led to a transient stimulation of the oxygen uptake to almost 100%, a response that was very easily observed using the present method. Since no mechanical damage was inflicted upon the cells, culturing could be continued, if so desired, after the measurement.