FUNCTIONAL HYPEREMIA IN THE BRAIN - HYPOTHESIS FOR ASTROCYTE-DERIVED VASODILATOR METABOLITES

Background-Cerebral blood now is tightly coupled to neuronal metabolic activity, a phenomenon referred to as functional hyperemia. The mecha nisms underlying functional hyperemia in the brain have been extensive ly studied, but the link between neuronal activation and nutritive blo od now has yet to be defined. Recent investigations by our laboratory and others have identified a potential role for astrocytes as an inter mediary cell type in this process. Summary of Review-This short review will develop the hypothesis that cytochrome P450 epoxygenase activity in astrocytes catalyzes formation of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) , which act as potent dilators of cerebral vessels and are released in response to glutamate receptor activation within astrocytes. Neuronal activity stimulates release of arachidonic acid from the phospholipid pool of astrocytic membranes. We provide evidence that the arachidoni c acid released on stimulation of glutamate receptors within astrocyte s is metabolized by cytochrome P450 2C11 cDNA enzymes into EETs. Concl usions-The EETs thus formed will be released and activate K+ channels, increase outward K+ current, and hyperpolarize the plasma membrane. T he resulting membrane hyperpolarization inhibits voltage-gated Ca2+ ch annels and leads to arteriolar dilation, thereby increasing regional n utritive blood now in response to neuronal activity.