Accession Number:

AD0612228

Title:

QUANTITATIVE ASPECTS OF CO2 FIXATION IN MAMMALIAN BRAIN IN VIVO,

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

NEW YORK STATE PSYCHIATRIC INST N Y

Personal Author(s):

• Waelsch,H.
• Berl,S.
• Rossi,C. A.
• Clarke,D. D.
• Purpura,D. P.

Report Date:

1964-01-22

Pagination or Media Count:

13.0

Abstract:

The data presented in this paper support the conclusion that CO2 fixation in the mammalian brain is a process which responds to the change in the metabolic environment. The rate of CO2 fixation is increased when the tissue is exposed to a metabolic stress, such as an elevated ammonia concentration, which results in an increased synthesis of glutamine. The data show that CO2 fixation is of considerable significance in brain metabolism and not negligible. It plays an essential role in maintaining the concentration of dicarboxylic acids in the citric acid cycle. The continuous removal of oxoglutarate without replenishment would lead to a breakdown of the citric acid cycle and consequently to a deficiency in the production of ATP. Although the data suggest that CO2 fixation may well replenish the intermediates of the citric acid cycle in case of increased ammonia concentration in brain tissue, these acute experiments give no answer as to the chronic effects of ammonia on the citric acid cycle.

Descriptors:

• (*CARBON DIOXIDE
• BRAIN)
• (*BRAIN
• METABOLISM)
• (*METABOLISM
• CARBOXYLIC ACIDS)
• AMINO ACIDS
• CEREBRAL CORTEX
• LIVER
• NERVOUS SYSTEM
• AMMONIA
• GLUTAMINE
• SYNTHESIS
• RADIATION CHEMISTRY
• MAMMALS

Subject Categories:

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE