Old Things New View: Ascorbic Acid Protects the Brain in Neurodegenerative Disorders

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Adriana Covarrubias-Pinto¹  Anl Ignacio Acu༚¹  Felipe Andrés Beltrán¹  Leandro Torres-D໚z¹  Maite Aintzane Castro¹ 

[1] Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile;

关键词: oxidative stress;    brain energy metabolism;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms161226095

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Ascorbic acid is a key antioxidant of the Central Nervous System (CNS). Under brain activity, ascorbic acid is released from glial reservoirs to the synaptic cleft, where it is taken up by neurons. In neurons, ascorbic acid scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during synaptic activity and neuronal metabolism where it is then oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid and released into the extracellular space, where it can be recycled by astrocytes. Other intrinsic properties of ascorbic acid, beyond acting as an antioxidant, are important in its role as a key molecule of the CNS. Ascorbic acid can switch neuronal metabolism from glucose consumption to uptake and use of lactate as a metabolic substrate to sustain synaptic activity. Multiple evidence links oxidative stress with neurodegeneration, positioning redox imbalance and ROS as a cause of neurodegeneration. In this review, we focus on ascorbic acid homeostasis, its functions, how it is used by neurons and recycled to ensure antioxidant supply during synaptic activity and how this antioxidant is dysregulated in neurodegenerative disorders.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.