Gangliosides' dual mode of action: A Working hypothesis

Using in vitro preparations, we have tested the hypothesis that gangliosides, and more specifically GM1, may prevent progressive neural damage following a trauma by means of complex intracellular mechanisms that might be triggered originally by ganglioside interaction with neuronal membranes. We have recently shown that 2‐hr ganglioside incubation in vitro stimulates the membrane Na/K pump in neuromuscular preparations. However, 5–6‐hr incubation or in vivo treatment for 3 days with a daily injection of gangliosides at a dose of 1 or 10 mg/kg prevents the depolarization that normally occurs after several hours of exposure to K+‐free solutions. In such undepolarized muscles, the electrogenic Na+/K+ pump does not seem to be activated.

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