The Physical Chemistry of Brain and Neural Cell Membranes: An Overview

Abstract

The formation of cell membranes through the physical-chemical interaction of two hydrophilic colloidal fluids is applied to the formation of the membranes of brain and neural cells. Also described is the membrane mechanism of transfer of ions and compounds necessary for brain and neural cell functions into the cerebrospinal fluid through the blood-brain barrier. Changes in the cerebrospinal fluid giving rise to degradation of brain and neural cells and the formation of precipitates within the brain are considered. Monitoring of electrolyte changes in metabolic fluids is shown to be a possible method of predicting the onset of degenerate brain conditions.

Targeting Glutamine Addiction in Gliomas

“…Although glutamine is considered a non-essential amino acid and its concentration in blood is high (~550 μM) [28], in pathological conditions of increased demand, it becomes conditionally Glutamine-glutamate cycle. Neurons take up glutamine from the extracellular space through the SNAT1 transporter.…”

“…Although glutamine is considered a non-essential amino acid and its concentration in blood is high (~550 µM) [28], in pathological conditions of increased demand, it becomes conditionally essential, as in glutamine-addicted neoplasms. Wise et al [29] showed that SF188 glioma cell line viability decreased to zero when glutamine was absent in the culture medium.…”

Effects of External Ventricular Drainage on Serum Sodium Levels in Adult Neurosurgical Patients

“…CSF is a slightly hypertonic fluid relative to plasma, with a constant Na + concentration of approximately 150 mmol/L (19)(20)(21). During the CSF production by choroid plexus, Na + ions are actively pumped across the epithelial surface by the Na + , K + ATPase, and other Na + co-transporters.…”

A Case of Difficult Management of Fluid-electrolyte Imbalance in Choroid Plexus Papilloma

“…3) CSF is an isotonic fluid with an approximate sodium concentration of 138 mmol/L, but the potassium content of CSF is 2.8 mmol/L, which is less than that of extracellular fluid (4.5 mmol/L). 8) To date, hypotonic saline with a physiologic potassium supplement has been widely used as maintenance fluid in pediatrics; 3,9) however, many recent studies have criticized this tradition of prescribing hypotonic saline for sick children because of the risk of developing iatrogenic hyponatremia, which is often fatal. 3,10,11) In the present case, our first strategy of tumor removal after correction of the fluid-electrolyte balance might be questionable as a result.…”