Streptozotocin increases free fatty acids and decreases phospholipids in rat brain

Streptozotocin (STZ) is a diabetogenic drug that disrupts glucose and energ y metabolism in brain. To study its effect on brain lipids, tissue concentr ations of free fatty acids and phospholipids were measured in the temporal cortex and the hippocampus of adult rats 3 weeks after a single intracerebr oventricular (icv) injection of STZ. STZ increased concentrations of palmit ic acid and stearic acid in temporal cortex and these of arachidonic acid b oth in the anterior part of the hippocampus and in CA1. In addition, palmit ic acid and stearic acid concentrations were elevated in the anterior hippo campus. In contrast, STZ decreased brain cortex levels of phosphatidylethan olamine and phosphatidylserine. These data show that STZ alters brain lipid metabolism. They suggest that oxidative phospholipid breakdown is accelera ted by STZ. These changes may be related to decreased brain glucose utiliza tion and energy formation.