NMDA RECEPTOR INVOLVEMENT IN ENDOTHELIN NEUROTOXICITY IN RAT STRIATALSLICES

The high K+-evoked dopamine release from rat striatal slices remained impaired by 50% up to 2 h after pulse exposure of the tissues to endot helin-3, under conditions of hypoglycemia/hypoxia. This striatal dysfu nction was significantly improved by D-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic ac id, a NMDA receptor antagonist, at a much lower concentration than tha t providing protection against NMDA-evoked dysfunction. In light of th ese findings, the important role of glutamatergic mechanisms, especial ly NMDA receptors, in mediating endothelin neurotoxicity warrants furt her attention.