RESUMEN
Taurine and zinc possess neurotrophic and neuroprotective properties, and they have been demonstrated to interact in the central nervous system (CNS). The aim of this work was to determine taurine, hypotaurine, and zinc levels during postnatal development and any possible significant correlation between them in selective areas of the CNS with differential taurine level regulation and intrinsic capacity to proliferate. Taurine and hypotaurine content (nM/region) and concentration (nM/mg protein) and total zinc levels were determined in the retina, hippocampus, and dentate gyrus of the rat at postnatal days 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, and 50. Taurine and hypotaurine increased during development in the retina without significant correlation between them. In the hippocampus there was a progressive decrease, and in the dentate gyrus there was an initial increase and a posterior decrease of taurine and hypotaurine levels. Correlation between the two amino acids was observed at P10, P15, and P50 for the hippocampus and at P15, P30, and P50 for the dentate gyrus. The variations in total zinc levels followed a biphasic behavior, with an early decrease and later increase. Significant and positive correlation of zinc and taurine was only observed in the hippocampus at P30 and P50 and negative in the dentate gyrus at P30. No significant correlation was obtained for the retina. The maintenance of taurine levels in specific CNS areas does not seem to be related to the availability of the precursor, hypotaurine, which might have a role by itself. There are critical postnatal periods during which there is a preservation of taurine, hypotaurine, or zinc levels. It seems that these requirements could be related to zinc-taurine interactions.
Asunto(s)
Giro Dentado/metabolismo , Hipocampo/metabolismo , Retina/metabolismo , Taurina/análogos & derivados , Taurina/metabolismo , Zinc/metabolismo , Animales , Ratas , Ratas Sprague-DawleyRESUMEN
A chronic methanol (MeOH) intoxication scheme (2 g/kg/day ip for 2 weeks) was carried out in Sprague-Dawley rats, previously depleted of folates with methotrexate (MTX). beta-Alanine (beta-Ala), 5%, was also administered to some animals in the drinking water. Amino acids were determined in plasma, retina, optic nerve, hippocampus and posterior cortex by HPLC with fluorescence detection and monoamines in retina, hippocampus and posterior cortex by electrochemical detection. Beta-Ala administration reduced taurine (Tau) levels in plasma, hippocampus and posterior cortex, but not in retina and optic nerve. Aspartate (Asp) concentration in the optic nerve was increased in MTX-MeOH treated animals, and the administration of beta-Ala did not modify this elevation. The association of beta-Ala with MTX-MeOH produced an increase of threonine, and a decrease of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the retina without modifying 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, whereas in the hippocampus an elevation of asparagine was observed. We conclude that, in the retina, beta-Ala in combination with MTX-MeOH increased serotonin and decreased dopamine (DA) turnover rate, and resulted in changes in the amino acid balance, that could affect glycinergic activity. On the other hand, in the hippocampus, Asp metabolism could be affected by Tau depletion with beta-Ala.
Asunto(s)
Aminoácidos/análisis , Monoaminas Biogénicas/análisis , Encéfalo/efectos de los fármacos , Metanol/toxicidad , Retina/efectos de los fármacos , Taurina/deficiencia , Aminoácidos/sangre , Animales , Asparagina/análisis , Química Encefálica , Corteza Cerebral/química , Cromatografía Líquida de Alta Presión , Dopamina/análisis , Ingestión de Líquidos , Deficiencia de Ácido Fólico/inducido químicamente , Hipocampo/química , Ácido Hidroxiindolacético/análisis , Masculino , Metanol/administración & dosificación , Metotrexato/administración & dosificación , Nervio Óptico/química , Nervio Óptico/efectos de los fármacos , Ratas , Ratas Sprague-Dawley , Retina/química , Serotonina/análisis , Taurina/análisis , Taurina/fisiología , Treonina/análisis , beta-Alanina/administración & dosificaciónRESUMEN
The clinical and electroretinographic features of chronic methanol intoxication are scarce, and neurotransmitter studies have not been conducted. In addition, most of the studies in the field include results after acute administration. In the present work, a chronic methanol intoxication scheme (2 g/kg/day ip for 2 weeks) was carried out in Sprague-Dawley rats previously depleted of folates with methotrexate. Taurine (2%) in drinking water was also administered in two groups of animals. Blood formate levels were increased in methotrexate-methanol-treated animals with respect to controls (0.98 +/- 0.09 and 0.30 +/- 0.03 mM, respectively). Amino acids and monoamines were determined in plasma and in retina, optic nerve, hippocampus, and posterior cortex by HPLC with fluorescence or electrochemical detection. The main finding was an increased aspartate content in the optic nerve in methotrexate methanol-treated animals. Methanol alone increased glutamate, aspartate, glutamine, taurine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels in the hippocampus and 5-hydroxytryptamine in the retina. Taurine administration had no significant effect on changes induced by methanol treatment. We concluded that chronic methanol administration produced accumulation of aspartate, an excitotoxic amino acid, in the optic nerve. These findings contribute to the understanding of methanol neurotoxicity and might indicate a relationship between chronic methanol consumption and the development of optic neuropathies.