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Homocysteine alters glutamate uptake and Na+,K+-ATPase activity and oxidative status in rats hippocampus: protection by vitamin C

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Abstract

In the present study we investigate the effect of homocysteine on glutamate uptake, Na+,K+-ATPase, enzymatic antioxidant defenses, as well as reactive species levels in hippocampus of rats. The influence of vitamin C, a classic antioxidant, on the effects elicited by homocysteine was also tested. Results showed that chronic hyperhomocysteinemia decreased glutamate uptake and the activities of Na+,K+-ATPase, catalase and superoxide dismutase in hippocampus of rats. Reactive species levels were increased by chronic homocysteine administration. Concomitant administration of vitamin C significantly prevented these alterations caused by homocysteine. According to our results, it seems possible to suggest that the reduction in glutamate uptake and Na+,K+-ATPase activity may be mediated by oxidative stress, since vitamin C prevented these effects. We suggest that the administration of antioxidants should be considered as an adjuvant therapy to specific diet in homocystinuria.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported in by grants from Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq—Brazil) and by the FINEP Research Grant “Rede Instituto Brasileiro de Neurociência (IBN-Net) - # 01.06.0842-00”.

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  1. Laboratório de Neuroproteção e Doença Metabólica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600-Anexo, CEP 90035-003, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

    Fernanda R. Machado, Andréa G. K. Ferreira, Aline A. da Cunha, Bárbara Tagliari, Ben Hur M. Mussulini, Susana Wofchuk & Angela T. S. Wyse

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  1. Fernanda R. Machado
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  2. Andréa G. K. Ferreira
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  3. Aline A. da Cunha
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  4. Bárbara Tagliari
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  5. Ben Hur M. Mussulini
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  6. Susana Wofchuk
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  7. Angela T. S. Wyse
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Correspondence to Angela T. S. Wyse.

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Machado, F.R., Ferreira, A.G.K., da Cunha, A.A. et al. Homocysteine alters glutamate uptake and Na+,K+-ATPase activity and oxidative status in rats hippocampus: protection by vitamin C. Metab Brain Dis 26, 61–67 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-011-9232-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-011-9232-3

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