Send Orders for Reprints to reprints@benthamscience.ae Medicinal Chemistry, 2016, 12, 000-000 1 1573-4064/16 $58.00+.00 © 2016 Bentham Science Publishers Growth Factors and Astrocytes Metabolism: Possible Roles for Platelet Derived Growth Factor Ricardo Cabezas 1 , Marco Avila-Rodriguez 1 , Nelson Enrique Vega-Vela 1 , Valentina Echeverria 2,3 , Janneth González 1 , Oscar Alejandro Hidalgo 1 , Altair Brito Santos 4 , Gjumrakch Aliev 5,6,7,* and George E. Barreto 1,8,* 1 Departamento de Nutrición y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá D.C., Colombia; 2 Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33647, USA; 3 Universidad San Sebastián, Lientur 1457, Concepción, 4030000, Chile; 4 Department of Biological Sciences, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Brazil; 5 “GALLY” International Biomedical Research Consulting LLC, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA; 6 School of Health Science and Healthcare Administration, The University of Atlanta, Johns Creek, GA, 30097, USA; 7 Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds Russian Acad- emy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, 142432, Russia; 8 Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile Abstract: Astrocytes exert multiple functions in the brain such as the development of blood–brain barrier characteristics, the promotion of neurovascular coupling, attraction of cells through the release of chemokines, clearance of toxic sub- stances and generation of antioxidant molecules and growth factors. In this aspect, astrocytes secrete several growth fac- tors (BDNF, GDNF, NGF, and others) that are fundamental for cell viability, oxidant protection, genetic expression and modulation of metabolic functions. The platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), which is expressed by many SNC cells, including astrocytes, is an important molecule that has shown neuroprotective potential, improvement of wound healing, regulation of calcium metabolism and mitochondrial function. Here we explore some of these astrocyte-driven functions of growth factors and their possible therapeutic uses in the context of neurodegeneration. Keywords: Astrocyte, growth factors, metabolism, mitochondria, neuroprotection, platelet derived growth factor. INTRODUCTION Numerous growth factors have a major impact in the maintenance of brain functions both during normal and in pathological conditions. Growth factor functions are mainly mediated through growth factor receptor activation and they include cell differentiation, neurotransmitter regulation, Cen- tral Nervous System (CNS) development, cognitive func- tions, neuroprotection and also the metabolic regulation of the brain [1-4]. In this aspect, previous studies have shown the importance of growth factors in the regulation of impor- tant metabolic functions such as oxidative damage, mainte- nance of mitochondrial membrane potential, glucose and calcium influx in the brain [1, 5-7]. Although growth factors in the brain are produced by neurons, oligodendrocytes or microglia [4, 8], their release *Address correspondence to this author at the “GALLY” International Bio- medical Research Consulting LLC, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; Tel: +440-263-7461; E-mail: aliev03@gmail.com (Gjumrakch Aliev); Depar- tamento de Nutrición y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Uni- versidad Javeriana, Bogotá D.C., Colombia; Tel: +57 1 320 8320 (ext 4096); E-mail: gsampaio@javeriana.edu.co (George E. Barreto) by astrocytes is of primordial importance for the mainte- nance of neuronal functions [9, 10]. Astrocytes are an impor- tant source of BDNF (Brain derived neurotrophic factor), GDNF (Glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor), NGF (nerve growth factor), PDGF (Platelet derived growth factor) and others with prospective neuroprotective functions in the brain [4, 10, 11]. In the present review, we explore the im- portance of growth factors in astrocytic metabolic regulation, and highlight the effect of PDGF as a potential therapeutic approach. ASTROCYTE FUNCTIONS Astrocytes are part of the glial cells along with oligoden- drocytes and microglia [12]. These cells have a great range of functions that include Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) mainte- nance, uptake of glutamate and g-aminobutyric acid (GABA) by specific transporters, production of antioxidant com- pounds like glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutases (SOD) and growth factors that enhance neuronal viability, both in normal and in pathological conditions [13-17]. This cell type is characterized by a stellate morphology with vari- ous processes and ramifications, and by the expression of the Gjumrakch Aliev George E. Barreto