biostudies-literatureZhuang HMajor Program of Shenzhen Bay LaboratoryNational Key R&D Program of Chinathe Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutionsthe Lingang Laboratorythe National Natural Science Foundation of China99https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11853058biostudies-literatureUnknown15(2)<h4>Background</h4>Fluorocitrate (FC) ranging from 5 μM to 5 mM is often used as a specific metabolic inhibitor of the astrocytes to study astrocytic functions. Whether FC at such concentrations may affect neuronal metabolism and function <i>in vivo</i> remains unclear.<h4>Methods</h4>We examined the effects of FC on the ATP levels and Ca²⁺ activity of the astrocytes and neurons in the motor cortices of living mice using two-photon microscopy.<h4>Results</h4>We found that 25 μM and 250 μM of FC decreased the intracellular ATP levels and Ca²⁺ activity in the astrocytes in the motor cortex. Equally, 250 μM of FC, but not 25 μM of FC, reduced the intracellular ATP levels in the dendritic processes of the layer 5 pyramidal neurons. However, 25 μM of FC increased the neuroBrain sciencesThe Dose-Dependent Effects of Fluorocitrate on the Metabolism and Activity of Astrocytes and Neurons.PMC11853058824017802024SHIBS00042022YEF0203200S241101005No.LG-GG-202401-ADA070600Yuan DLuo ZZhuang HShi FGan WWu XfalseThe Dose-Dependent Effects of Fluorocitrate on the Metabolism and Activity of Astrocytes and Neurons.<h4>Background</h4>Fluorocitrate (FC) ranging from 5 μM to 5 mM is often used as a specific metabolic inhibitor of the astrocytes to study astrocytic functions. Whether FC at such concentrations may affect neuronal metabolism and function <i>in vivo</i> remains unclear.<h4>Methods</h4>We examined the effects of FC on the ATP levels and Ca²⁺ activity of the astrocytes and neurons in the motor cortices of living mice using two-photon microscopy.<h4>Results</h4>We found that 25 μM and 250 μM of FC decreased the intracellular ATP levels and Ca²⁺ activity in the astrocytes in the motor cortex. Equally, 250 μM of FC, but not 25 μM of FC, reduced the intracellular ATP levels in the dendritic processes of the layer 5 pyramidal neurons. However, 25 μM of FC increased the neuro2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Jan2025-04-04T01:12:08.279Z2025-04-04T01:12:08.279ZS-EPMC118530584000243210.3390/brainsci15020099