The Regional Variability of Enzymes in the Brain.
Abstract
Enzyme levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have been used as prognostic markers in cases of brain injury with equivocal results. It is hypothesized that CSF enzymes are derived from the brain and that the destruction of brain tissue will result in the release of enzymes which will in turn elevate the CSF levels. Elevated CSF enzymes may thus correlate with the degree of tissue destruction and ultimate patient outcome. But if the concentration of an enzyme varies substantially in different regions of the brain, equal amounts will not be released per unit of tissue and the CSF enzyme level may not correlate with prognosis. In this study, the question of regional variability of enzymes in the brain is addressed. The concentrations, expressed as U/g wet tissue weight, of seven enzymes, acid phosphatase (ACP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), NADP-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH), lactate dehydrogenase (LD), and malate dehydrogenase (MDH), were determined in seven different brain regions in the rat and cat. Tissue specimens weighing about 50 mg were dissected from the cerebellum, medulla, hypothalamus, striatum, midbrain, cortex, and hippocampus. Little regional variability exists for ACP, AST, ICDH, LD, or MDH in the rat and cat as each enzyme is present in nearly equivalent concentrations in all regions. CK and GDH exhibit marked regional variability in both animals with enzyme concentrations being two- to three-fold greater in some regions than in others.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA171906
Entities
People
- David A. Armbruster
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology