Glutaric aciduria I: creatine supplementation restores creatinephosphate levels in mixed cortex cells from rat incubated with 3-hydroxyglutarate

The pathogenesis of neurological sequelae in glutaric aciduria I (GA I) is still unclear. Some evidence exists for compromised energy generation in the brain of patients with GA I resulting in ‘slow-onset’ excitotoxicity. Previously, we have shown a reduced activity of the mitochondrial ATPsynthase in cultured mixed cortex cells from neonatal rats incubated with 2–4 mM 3hydroxyglutarate (3-OH glut) for 24 h [1]. In the present study we measured cellular contents of high energy phosphate compounds (creatinephosphate CP, ATP, and ADP) in this model after a 24 h incubation period with 2–4 mM glutarate (glut) or 3-OH glut. 3-OH glut specifically led to a reduction of CP content in a dose-dependent manner, whereas concentrations of ATP, ADP, and AMP remained unchanged. The drop in CP-concentration could be prevented by preincubation with the non-competitive NMDA-receptor antagonist MK 801 or coincubation with 1 mM creatine. NMDAreceptor associated ion channels may be opened due to a lack of energy inside the neurons caused by a reduction of CP. This is followed by membrane depolarization which could impair electrogenic creatine transport into the cell.