In vivo incorporation of exogenous [1-14C]stearic acid into neurons and astrocytes

Exogenous stearic acid is needed to synthesize the membranes of neurons and astrocytes. Subcutaneously injected [1-14C]acid is taken up through the 'blood brain barrier' and incorporated into lipids of both cell types, the specific radioactivity being higher in astrocytes as compared to neurons (2200 and 800 cpm/mg proteins, respectively), 20 h after injection. Phospholipids contain high amount of radioactivity (80% in astrocytes, 65% in neurons); glycosphingolipids contain low quantities of label in the two cell types. The injected acid is partly metabolized in the brain by elongation and desaturation (thus providing very long chains, saturated mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated); it is also partly degraded into acetate units (utilized for synthesis of palmitic acid).