Antagonists of the NMDA receptor and allopurinol protect the olfactory cortex but not the striatum after intra-cerebral injection of kainic acid.
Overstimulation of the NMDA receptor, as well as generation of excessive amounts of free radicals, has been implicated in excitotoxic brain injuries. We report here that two antagonists of the NMDA receptor and an inhibitor of the free radical-generating enzyme, xanthine oxidase, protect the olfactory cortex but not the striatum after intrastriatal injection of kainic acid. Our results suggest the existence of a precise link between excitotoxic activation of the NMDA receptor and neuropathology related to excessive amounts of free radicals. The focal point of this link may be the entry of Ca2+ through the NMDA receptor and the consequent activation of proteases and free radical-generating systems.
Facchinetti
F
F
Department of Biology, University of Bologna, Italy.
Virgili
M
M
Contestabile
A
A
Barnabei
O
O
D000493:Allopurinol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase / Q000378:metabolism; D007267:Injections; D007608:Kainic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects; D009833:Olfactory Pathways / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D000493:Allopurinol; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase; D007608:Kainic Acid