Effect of transitory glucose deprivation on mitochondrial structure and functions in cultured cerebellar granule neurons

We found that 60-min glucose deprivation leads to progressive decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential and increase in [Ca2+]i in cultured cerebellar granule neurons. The latter effect was fully reversible, returning to the basal level 60 min after restoration of normal glucose level in the incubation medium, whereas mitochondrial membrane potential remained at 10.0 ± 1.8% below the initial value. Electron microscopy indicated that glucose deprivation induced appearance of mitochondria with local lightening of the matrix and destruction of cristae. This mitochondrial conformation was preserved during the restoration phase after glucose level in the cultivation medium returned to the normal level. Neuronal death within a 24-h period after 60-min glucose deprivation was relatively small, being 14.0 ± 4.4%.