Vasopressin selectively modulates the release of taurine within the septumof the rat brain

Previous experiments have shown that arginine vasopressin (AVP) released wi thin the septal brain area of adult male rats in response to defined stress or exposure is involved in emotionality-related behavior. We report here th at a 10-min forced swimming session stimulated the release of glutamate, as partate, arginine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and taurine but not alani ne and serine in the medio-lateral part of this brain structure. Local admi nistration of the AVP V1 receptor antagonist d(CH2)(5)Tyr(Me)AVP by inverse microdialysis caused a significant increase in the concentration of taurin e in microdialysates under resting conditions that was further potentiated during forced swim ming. In contrast, the release of alanine, arginine, GAB A and serine was unaffected by antagonist treatment. Taken together with pr evious data, our results suggest that the effects of intraseptally released AVP on stress-coping strategies might be mediated at least in part via its influence on the local release of taurine. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Irela nd Ltd. All rights reserved.