Neuronal-astroglial metabolic compartment as a prime target in novel stroke therapy

Abstract

Astroglia play a pivotal role in the brain metabolism as well as in the regulation of cerebral blood flow. In particular, the astroglial metabolic compartment exerts supportive roles in making neurons dedicated to generating action potentials and protects them against oxidative stress associated with high energy consumption. Under ischemia, numerous metabolic derangements occur, resulting in irreversible neuronal damage. The neurovascular unit (NVU) is a conceptual framework used to better understand the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia. The major components of the NVU are neurons, microvessels and the astroglia that are interposed between the neuronal synapses and the microvasculature. Thus, the metabolic responses of the astroglia in the early stage of ischemia could be either protective or deleterious. In this review, we focus on three major metabolic compartments: the 1) glucose, 2) fatty acid and 3) amino acid, especially D-/L-serine, compartments. Both the beneficial and detrimental roles of the metabolic responses induced in the astroglia will be discussed. A better understanding of the astroglial metabolic response may be expected to lead to the development of a novel strategy in stroke therapy.