Hypoglycemia and brain development
Chase, H.P.; Marlow, R.A.; Dabiere, C.S.; Welch, N.N.
Pediatrics 52(4): 513-520
1973
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-4005 PMID: 4742245 Document Number: 57680
Young Sprague-Dawley rats were given daily injections of insulin 50 units/kg bodyweight subcutaneously while control rats received a similar volume of 0.9% NaCl. In rats 10 days old blood glucose fell rapidly during the first h after injection and remained low for at least 4 h. In rats from one day old given injections once daily for 18 days bodyweight was not significantly different in control and hypoglycaemic rats but net weight of total brain, cortex-brainstem and cerebellum decreased significantly; total protein and total DNA were significantly reduced in both cortex-brainstem and cerebellum of hypoglycaemic brain. Cell size in cerebellum and cortex-brainstem was not altered by hypoglycaemia. Total amounts of cerebroside-sulpholipid, cholesterol and lipid P were significantly reduced in brains of hypoglycaemic animals but concentrations were not reduced significantly. The total quantity and concentration of N-acetylneuraminic acid, representing ganglioside content, were not significantly different in control and hypoglycaemic animals. Sulphate incorporation into brain sulpholipid at 18 days of age was 44% less in hypoglycaemic brain. Brain glucose and glycogen were significantly lower in hypoglycaemic rats; ATP was not significantly altered and phosphocreatine content was greater in brain of hypoglycaemic than in control rats.