EFFECTS OF PHENYLSUCCINATE ON POTASSIUM-STIMULATED TAURINE RELEASE INCULTURED NEURONS AND ASTROCYTES AND IN RAT HIPPOCAMPUS IN-VIVO

Swelling-induced release of taurine was investigated in vivo in hippoc ampus by microdialysis or in vitro in cultured neocortical neurons or astrocytes, Swelling was induced either by increasing the extracellula r K+ concentration or by exposing the cells to hyposmotic conditions, It was found that the drug phenylsuccinate, which inhibits the mitocho ndrial dicarboxylate carrier as well as biosynthesis of neurotransmitt er glutamate, inhibits swelling-induced taurine release both in vivo a nd in cultured cells, Thus, phenylsuccinate may be used to investigate the mechanism involved in taurine release associated with regulatory volume decrease in cells. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.