Fatty Acids Modulate Excitability in Guinea-Pig Hippocampal Slices

摘要

Exposure to free radicals, and consequent lipid peroxidation, causes theactivation of phospholipases and the release of fatty acids from cellular membranes. Oxidized membrane lipids are preferentially, but not exclusively, removed by phospholipase A2 and repaired by glutathione peroxidase. In rat cortical brain slices, arachidonic acid, oleic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were released following superoxide-induced lipid peroxidation and phospholipase A2 activation. These mechanisms can come into play during some pathological conditions. For example, ischemic injury causes the release of free fatty acids, probably as a consequence of free radical generation. The release of arachidonic acid is greater in field CA1 than in field CA3 of hippocampus corresponding to the severity of ischemic injury.