Cytotoxic properties of glutamate and aspartate in rat peripheral nerves: histological findings.
Two excitatory neurotransmitters, L-glutamate and L-aspartate, known for their neurotoxic properties in the central nervous system were injected in rat sciatic nerve. The morphological results are compared with sodium chloride injections in sciatic nerve on the other side. Rats were sacrificed 24 h to 1 month after the administration of compounds. Marked endoneural edema with global axonal loss of myelinated fibers were observed in animals injected either with glutamate or aspartate. A demyelinating process was also associated with axonal damages. Sodium chloride did not induce similar morphological abnormalities. This model of toxic neuropathy may be mediated by the excitotoxic properties of L-aspartate and L-glutamate.
D000818:Animals; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D005971:Glutamates / Q000633:toxicity*; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D008297:Male; D009410:Nerve Degeneration; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*
D005971:Glutamates; D001224:Aspartic Acid; D018698:Glutamic Acid