Reduced production of lactate during hypoxia and reoxygenation in astrocytes isolated from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

Lactate production and expressions of monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) mRNA after hypoxia and reoxygenation (H/R) were examined by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reacti on (RT-PCR) using astrocytes in culture isolated from stroke-prone spontane ously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). The basal prod uction of lactate in SHRSP was the sa me as that observed in WKY. In contra st the lactate levels in SHRSP at 1 and 6 h of reoxygenation after hypoxia were significantly lower than those observed in WKY. In addition LDH and MC T1 mRNA expressions in SHRSP were significantly less strong compared with t hose in WKY during H/R. These findings indicate that decreased production a nd slow transport of lactate in SHRSP astrocytes are involved in neuronal e nergy depletion and possibly encourage neuronal damage, although hereditary weakness of cortical neurons is also related to cell death during H/R. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.