Abstract: Previous studies have shown that the glutamate/glutamine (Glu/Gln) neurotransmitter cycle and neuronal glucose oxidation are proportional (1:1), with increasing neuronal activity above isoelectricity. GABA, a product of Glu metabolism, is synthesized from astroglial Gln and contributes to total Glu/Gln neurotransmitter cycling, although the fraction contributed by GABA is unknown. In the present study, we used13C NMR spectroscopy together with i.v. infusions of [1,6-13C2]glucose and [2-13C]acetate to separately determine rates of Glu/Gln and GA...
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Topics: 
Internal medicine
Endocrinology
Biochemistry