Cited by 587Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchMitochondrial Function and PathologyAdvanced MRI Techniques and Applications

Energy metabolism in astrocytes: High rate of oxidative metabolism and spatiotemporal dependence on glycolysis/glycogenolysis

Hertz, Leif, Peng, Liang, Dienel, Gerald A·2007·Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism

Abstract

Astrocytic energy demand is stimulated by K(+) and glutamate uptake, signaling processes, responses to neurotransmitters, Ca(2+) fluxes, and filopodial motility. Astrocytes derive energy from glycolytic and oxidative pathways, but respiration, with its high-energy yield, provides most adenosine 5' triphosphate (ATP). The proportion of cortical oxidative metabolism attributed to astrocytes ( approximately 30%) in in vivo nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic and autoradiographic studies corresponds to their volume fraction, indicating similar oxidation rates in astrocytes and neurons. Astrocyte-selective expression of pyruvate carboxylase (PC) enables synthesis of glutamate from glucose, accounting for two-thirds of astrocytic glucose degradation via combined pyruvate carboxylation and dehydrogenation. Together, glutamate synthesis and oxidation, including neurotransmitter turnover, generate almost as much energy as direct glucose oxidation. Glycolysis and glycogenolysis are essential for astrocytic responses to increasing energy demand because astrocytic filopodial and lamellipodial extensions, which account for 80% of their surface area, are too narrow to accommodate mitochondria; these processes depend on glycolysis, glycogenolysis, and probably diffusion of ATP and phosphocreatine formed via mitochondrial metabolism to satisfy their energy demands. High glycogen turnover in astrocytic processes may stimulate glucose demand and lactate production because less ATP is generated when glucose is metabolized via glycogen, thereby contributing to the decreased oxygen to glucose utilization ratio during brain activation. Generated lactate can spread from activated astrocytes via low-affinity monocarboxylate transporters and gap junctions, but its subsequent fate is unknown. Astrocytic metabolic compartmentation arises from their complex ultrastructure; astrocytes have high oxidative rates plus dependence on glycolysis and glycogenolysis, and their energetics is underestimated if based solely on glutamate cycling.

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Crossref · 10.1038/sj.jcbfm.9600343

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158 of 158 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Glutamate functions as an excitatory neurotransmitter and a glutamate-glutamine cycle exists between astrocytes and neurons, allowing for the movement of anaplerotic carbon units and the sequestration of ammonia, which is neurotoxic.

    “Glutamate functions as an excitatory neurotransmitter and a glutamate–glutamine cycle exists between astrocytes and neurons, allowing for the movement of anaplerotic carbon units and the sequestration of ammonia, which is neurotoxic [132].”
  • There is ample evidence of glutamate oxidation by astrocytes.

    “and there is ample evidence of glutamate oxidation by astrocytes (Hertz et al., 2007; Dienel, 2017).”

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Authors
Hertz, L., Peng, L., & Dienel, G. A.
Affiliations
  • China Medical University (CN)
  • University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (US)
Corresponding author
Hertz, Leif
Venue
Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism
Published
2007-02
Volume
27
Issue
2
Pages
219-249
ISSN
  • 0271-678X (ISSN-L)
  • 1559-7016
OpenAlex
W2094633691
Cited by
587
References
158
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 30 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 27 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 25 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 35 · 2016: 28 · 2015: 35 · 2014: 40 · 2013: 45 · 2012: 45
FWCI
2.92
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NS 36728, R01NS036728)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Advanced MRI Techniques and Applications
Keywords
astrocytes, oxidative metabolism, glycolysis, glycogenolysis, pyruvate carboxylase, glutamate synthesis, lactate, astrocyte-neuron metabolic coupling, astrocyte ultrastructure, monocarboxylate transporters, gap junctions, ATP diffusion, phosphocreatine, brain energy demand
MeSH terms
Animals, Astrocytes, Brain Chemistry, Citric Acid Cycle, Energy Metabolism, Glucose, Glutamine, Glycolysis, Humans, Oxidation-Reduction, Neurotransmitter Agents, Glutamic Acid, Glycogenolysis

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