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Brain creatine kinase activity after meningitis induced by Streptococcus pneumoniae
Tatiana Barichello1, Geruza Z Silva, Geovana D Savi
1Laboratório de Fisiopatologia Experimental, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Unidade Acadêmica de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, SC, Brazil. tba@unesc.net
Brain Research Bulletin
|May 5, 2009
Summary
This study investigated brain creatine kinase (CK) activity during pneumococcal meningitis in animals. A decrease in CK activity was observed 24 hours after infection, suggesting a role in the disease
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Infectious Diseases
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis causes high mortality and neurological deficits.
- Creatine kinase (CK) is vital for maintaining cellular ATP levels in energy-demanding tissues.
- Reduced CK activity is linked to neurodegeneration and neuronal loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of pneumococcal meningitis on brain creatine kinase (CK) activity.
- To investigate the temporal changes in CK activity in different brain regions post-infection.
Main Methods:
- Animal model of pneumococcal meningitis induced via magna cistern tap.
- Measurement of CK activity in hippocampus, striatum, cerebellum, cerebral cortex, and prefrontal cortex at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours post-infection.
- Comparison of CK activity between infected animals and saline-treated controls.
Main Results:
- No significant alteration in brain CK activity was detected at 6 and 12 hours after meningitis induction.
- A notable decrease in CK activity was observed 24 hours post-infection.
- CK activity returned to normal levels by 48 hours after meningitis.
Conclusions:
- Brain creatine kinase (CK) activity is transiently inhibited during the acute phase of experimental pneumococcal meningitis.
- This inhibition of CK activity may contribute to the neuropathogenesis of Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis.
- Further research is needed to confirm these findings in human patients.
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