Alterations in lipid metabolism, Na+,K+-ATPase activity, and tissue water content of spinal cord following experimental traumatic injury.
Traumatic spinal cord injury has recently been shown to cause a rapid increase in free fatty acids (FFAs) and lipid degradation in cats. The present studies report a more delayed, time-dependent increase in FFAs and a concomitant decrease in phospholipids following traumatic spinal injury in rats. The largest percentage increases were found for polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly arachidonic acid. Associated with these changes were a reduction in the activity of Na+,K+-ATPase and development of spinal cord edema. These findings support the hypothesis that traumatic spinal cord injury leads to delayed, as well as early, hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids, resulting in the liberation of FFAs. Such changes may contribute to secondary spinal cord injury either through direct effects on membranes or through the actions of secondary metabolic products such as the eicosanoids. The latter may cause tissue injury by contributing to the reduction in spinal cord blood flow or through inflammatory responses that follow trauma.
D000818:Animals; D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism*; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000378:metabolism*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000378:metabolism; D019308:Palmitic Acid; D010169:Palmitic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000378:metabolism; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines / Q000378:metabolism; D010718:Phosphatidylserines / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000378:metabolism*; D013229:Stearic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D010169:Palmitic Acids; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines; D010718:Phosphatidylserines; D013229:Stearic Acids; D019308:Palmitic Acid; C031183:stearic acid; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase