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Related Experiment Videos

Glutamate stimulates ascorbate transport by astrocytes.

J X Wilson1, C E Peters, S M Sitar

  • 1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Western Ontario, Medical Science Bldg, London, Ontario, Canada. jwilson@physiology.uwo.ca

Brain Research
|March 4, 2000
PubMed
Summary

Glutamate stimulates the release of ascorbate from astrocytes, a key finding for understanding brain function and injury. This process involves specific channels, not direct exchange, impacting neurotransmitter and antioxidant levels.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Elevated extracellular glutamate and ascorbate levels are observed after brain injury.
  • Glutamate is a major excitatory neurotransmitter, while ascorbate (Vitamin C) is a vital antioxidant.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hypothesis that glutamate triggers ascorbate release from astrocytes.
  • To elucidate the mechanism of glutamate-induced ascorbate release.

Main Methods:

  • Primary cultures of rat cerebral astrocytes were used.
  • Glutamate-stimulated ascorbate efflux was measured.
  • Inhibitors of anion channels and glutamate transporters were employed.

Main Results:

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  • Glutamate significantly increased ascorbate efflux from astrocytes.
  • The effect was dose-dependent with a half-maximal effective concentration of 180+/-30 microM.
  • Specific inhibitors blocked glutamate-stimulated ascorbate efflux, implicating volume-sensitive organic anion channels.

    • Conclusions:

    • Glutamate activates ascorbate-permeant channels in astrocytes, leading to ascorbate release.
    • This mechanism is distinct from a direct glutamate-ascorbate heteroexchange.
    • Findings provide insight into astrocyte-mediated regulation of extracellular ascorbate levels.