HYPOTHALAMIC DIGOXIN, CEREBRAL DOMINANCE, AND LIPID METABOLISM

Abstract

The present study assessed the biochemical differences in lipid metabolism between right hemispheric dominant and left hemispheric dominant individuals. The HMG CoA reductase activity and the serum isoprenoidal metabolites--digoxin, dolichol, and ubiquinone--were studied. The results showed that right hemispheric dominant individuals had (i) increased HMG CoA reductase activity, (ii) elevated serum digoxin levels, (iii) reduced serum ubiquinone levels, (iv) increased serum tryptophan and reduced tyrosine, (v) increased serum dolichol levels, and (vi) decreased RBC membrane Na+-K+ ATPase activity and serum magnesium levels. Left hemispheric dominant individuals had the opposite patterns. Right hemispheric dominance represents a hyperdigoxinemic state with membrane sodium-potassium ATPase inhibition and an upregulated isoprenoid pathway. Left hemispheric dominance represents the reverse pattern with hypodigoxinemia/membrane sodium-potassium ATPase stimulation and a downregulated isoprenoid pathway. Cerebral dominance can regulate lipid metabolism.

Keywords:

• cerebral dominance
• digoxin, dolichol
• membrane Na+-K+ATPase
• ubiquinone