engleski

Human brain glycosphingolipids in cerebrovascular disease

Background and purpose: Gangliosides are glycosphingolipids (GSLs) incorporated in all animal cell membranes. They play an important role in maintenance of membrane structural rigidity and enable the contact of individual cells with the environment. The aim of this biochemical study was to explore the changes of gangliosides in brain tissue affected by ischemic damage. Material and methods: Samples of brain tissue with ischemic lesion (n=5), tissue adjacent to lesion (n=3) and contralateral control tissue (n=5) were analyzed. Results: The results showed significant decrease of total amount of gangliosides in samples with ischemic lesion comparing to control samples. Percentage distribution of individual gangliosides in lesion samples in comparison to control samples showed decrease in gangliosides characteristic for neuronal cells due to ischemic destruction of neurons, adn increase in gangliosides characteristic for glial cells but also for lysosomal gangliosides catabolism. Conclusions: We have found an increase in GM1 fraction in all samples. It is interesting to mention that higher levels of GM1 inhibit the activity of Na, K-ATPase. Its functional disorder and lower activity in ischemias may lead to ionic disbalance and edema.

brain ; gangliosides ; ischemia

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