GLUTAMATE RECEPTORS ON POSTGANGLIONIC SYMPATHETIC AXONS

The present study demonstrates that approximately 36% of postganglioni c sympathetic axons in gray rami express receptors for the N-methyl-D- aspartate receptor 1 subunit of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor and 10% express the glutamate receptor 1 subunit of the lpha-amino-3-hydro xy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor. If these receptors are active, glutamate released from primary afferent terminals could acti vate these receptors resulting in the release of noradrenaline and oth er substances from postganglionic sympathetic neurons. This interactio n would constitute a non-synaptic, sensory-sympathetic, peripheral ref lex that might be important in local vascular control and in pain stat es that have a sympathetic component. (C) 1997 IBRO. Published by Else vier Science Ltd.