Abstract
To elucidate the mechanisms of neuroprotective action of nicergoline, we examined its effect on glutamate transport in rat cortical synaptosomes and cloned glutamate transporters. In synaptosomes, nicergoline enhanced the glutamate uptake at 1-10 μM in standard medium and suppressed the increase of extracellular glutamate by reversed transport in low Na+ medium. Apparent increase of extracellular glutamate concentration by dihydrokinate, an inhibitor of glial glutamate transporter GLT-1, was antagonized by nicergoline. In Xenopus oocytes expressing mouse neuronal glutamate transporter (mEAAC1), the glutamate-induced inward current was enhanced by nicergoline. These results suggest that nicergoline reduces the extracellular glutamate concentration through its effect on glutamate transporters.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 817-820 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin |
Volume | 27 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2004 Jun |
Keywords
- Glutamate reversed transport
- Glutamate transporter
- Glutamate uptake
- Nicergoline
- Synaptosome
- Xenopus oocyte
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pharmacology
- Pharmaceutical Science