Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Characterization of calcium accumulation in the brain of rats administered orally calcium: The significance of energy-dependent mechanism

  • Published:
Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The characterization of calcium accumulation in the brain of rats administered orally calcium chloride solution was investigated. Rats received a single oral administration of calcium (15–50 mg/100 g body weight), and they were sacrificed by bleeding-between 15 and 120 min after the administration. The administration of calcium (50 mg/100 g) produced a significant increase in serum calcium concentration and a corresponding elevation of brain calcium content, indicating that the transport of calcium into the brain is associated with the elevation of serum calcium levels. The increase in brain calcium content by calcium administration was not appreciably altered by the pretreatment with Ca2+ channel blockers (verapamil or diltiazem with the doses of 1.5 and 3.0 mg/100 g). In thyroparathyroidectomized rats, the administration of calcium (50 mg/100 g) caused a significant increase in brain calcium content, indicating that calcium-regulating hormones do not participate in the brain calcium transport. Now, brain calcium content was clearly elevated by fasting (overnight), although serum calcium level was not significantly altered. Calcium administration to fasted rats induced a further elevation of brain calcium content as compared with that of control (fasted) rats. The fasting-induced increase in brain calcium content was appreciably restored by refeeding. This restoration was also seen by the oral administration of glucose (0.4 g/100 g) to fasted rats. The present study demonstrates that serum calcium is transported to brain, and that the increased brain calcium is released promptly. The release of calcium from brain may be involved in energy metabolism, and this release may be weakened by the reduction of glucose supply into brain. The finding suggests a physiological significance of energy-dependent mechanism in the regulation of brain calcium.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Williamson JR, Cooper RH, Hock JB: Role of calcium in the hormonal regulation of liver metabolism. Biochim Biophys Acta 639: 243–295, 1981

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Cheung WY: Calmodulin plays a pivotal role in cellular regulation. Science 202: 19–27, 1984

    Google Scholar 

  3. Altin JG, Bygrave FL: Second messengers and the regulation of Ca2+ fluxes by Ca2+-mobilizing agonists in rat liver. Biol Rev 63: 551–611, 1988

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Kraus-Friedman N: Calcium sequstration in the liver. Cell Calcium 11: 625–640, 1990

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Hartmann H, Eckert A, Muller WE: Disturbances of the neuronal calcium homeostasis in the aging nervous system. Lif Sci 55: 2011–2018, 1994

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Smith SJ, MacDermott AB, Weight FF: Detection of intracellular Ca2+ transients in sympathetic neurones using arsenazo III. Nature 304: 350–352, 1983

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Gandhi CR, Ross DH: Characterization of a high-affinity Mg2+-independent Ca2+-ATPase from rat brain synaptosomal membranes. J Neurochem 50: 248–256, 1988

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. DeLorenzo RJ, Freedman SD, Yohe WB, Maurer SC: Stimulation Ca2+-dependent neurotransmitter release and presynaptic nerve terminal protein phosphorylation by calmodulin and a calmodulinlike protein isolated from synaptic vesicles. Proc Nail Acad Sci USA 76: 1838–1842, 1979

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Prehn JHM, Bindokas VP, Marcuccilli CJ, Krajewski S, Read JC, Miller RJ: Regulation of neuronal Bc 12 protein expression and calcium homeostasis by transforming growth factor type β confers wide-ranging protection on rat hipocampal neurons. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 91: 12599-12603, 1994

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Trejn J, Brown JH: c-fos and c-jun are induced by muscarinic receptor activation of protein kinase C but are differentially regulated by intracellular calcium. J Biol Chem 266: 7876–7882, 1991

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Heizmann CW, Braun K: Changes in Ca2+-binding proteins in human neurodegenerative disorders. Trends Neurosci 15: 259–264, 1992

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Trotta EE, De Meis L: Adenosine 5′-triphosphate-orthiphosphate exchange catalyzed by the Ca2+-transport ATPase of brain. Activation by a small transmembrane Ca2+ gradient. J Biol Chem 253: 7821–7825, 1978

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Schellenberg GD, Swanson PD: Sodium-dependent and calciumdependent calcium transport by rat brain microsomes. Biochim Biophys Acta 648: 13–27, 1981

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Dahan D, Spanier R, Rahaamimoff H: The modulation of rat brain Na2+-Ca2+ exchange by K+. J Biol Chem 266: 2067–2075, 1991

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Magnoni MS, Govoni S, Battaini F, Trabucchi M: The aging brain: protein phosphorylation as a target of changes in neuronal function. Lif Sci 48: 373–385, 1991

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Yamaguchi M, Takei Y, Yamamoto T: Effect of thyrocalcitonin in liver of intact and thyroparathyroidectomized rats. Endocrinology 96: 1004–1008, 1975

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Willis JB: Determination of calcium in blood serum by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Nature (London) 186: 249–250, 1960

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Hyvarimen A, Nikkila EA: Specific determination of blood glucose with o-toluidine. Clin Chim Acta 7: 140–143, 1962

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Taylor CW: Calcium regulation in vertebrate: An overview. Comp Biochem Physiol 82A: 249–255, 1985

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. MacDermott AB, Dale N: Receptors, ion channels and synaptic potential underlying the integrative actions of excitatory amino acids. Trends Neurosci 10: 280–284, 1986

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Cambray-Deakin MA, Burgoyne RD: Intracellular Ca2+and N-methyl-D-aspartate-stimulated neuritogenesis in rat cerebellar granule cell cultures. Dev Brain Res 66: 25–32, 1992

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Treves S, De Mattei M, Lanfred M, Villa A, Green NM, MacLennan DH, Meldolesi J, Pozzan T: Calreticulin is a candidate for a calsequestrin-like function in Ca2+-storage compartments (calciosomes) of liver and brain. Biochem J 271: 473–480, 1990

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Endocrinology and Molecular Metabolism, Graduate School of Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, 422, Shizuoka City

    Yasuko Hanahisa & Masayoshi Yamaguchi

  2. Department of Clinical Research, Eli Lilly Japan KK, 1-1-1 Minamiaoyama, 107, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan

    Yasuko Hanahisa

  3. Laboratory of Endocrinology and Molecular Metabolism, Graduate School of Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, 422, Shizuoka City, Japan

    Masayoshi Yamaguchi

Authors
  1. Yasuko Hanahisa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Masayoshi Yamaguchi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hanahisa, Y., Yamaguchi, M. Characterization of calcium accumulation in the brain of rats administered orally calcium: The significance of energy-dependent mechanism. Mol Cell Biochem 158, 1–7 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00225876

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00225876

Key words

Search

Navigation