Effects of methionine sulfoximine on the enzymes of glutamate metabolism in isolated astrocytes of rat brain.

The enzymes of glutamate metabolism were estimated in astrocytes isolated from brains of normal rats and those injected with the potent convulsant, methionine sulfoximine (MSO), which inhibits glutamine synthetase and induces Alzheimer type II astrocytosis. The wet weight, dry weight; contents of DNA, RNA, protein and the activities of glutamate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase were elevated following MSO administration. The metabolic effects of MSO were found to be different from those of ammonia wherein a fall in the activity of glutamate dehydrogenase and an increase in the activity of glutamine synthetase was noticed. Based on these results it is suggested that there might be an inverse relationship in the functioning of these two enzymes. Such a relationship would help in preventing the depletion of energy pools in a given cellular compartment during ammonia detoxification.