Noradrenaline induced stimulation of oxidative metabolism in astrocytes but not in neurons in primary cultures.

Noradrenaline effects on oxidative metabolism (tricarboxylic acid cycle activity) were examined by measuring the formation of 14CO2 from labeled aspartate in primary cultures of cerebral astrocytes and neurons and of cerebellar granule cells. At all time periods studied, CO2 formation in astrocytes was significantly increased in the presence of noradrenaline. The EC50 value was calculated to be 5 x 10(-7) M. No corresponding stimulation of CO2 production in cerebellar or cortical neurons was observed, suggesting that the stimulation of energy metabolism by noradrenaline in vivo may be confined to astrocytes.