Astrocytes function in matching blood flow to metabolic activity.
The brain possesses an intrinsic regulatory mechanism to maintain an adequate supply of O(2) and nutrition despite local increases in neuronal activity. Brain astrocytes function as an intermediary cell type by responding to glutamate released from activated neurons, and they couple cerebral blood flow by producing cytochrome P-450-derived epoxyeicosatrienoic acids that induce vasodilation and increase capillary density.
Harder
David R
DR
Department of Physiology and Cardiovascular Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, and Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226, USA.
Zhang
Chenyang
C
Gebremedhin
Debebe
D
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002196:Capillaries / Q000503:physiopathology; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006940:Hyperemia / Q000503:physiopathology