title: Toxicity of L-proline toward rat hippocampal neurons.
abstract: Intrahippocampal injections of L-proline, a neutral amino acid excitant, non-selectively destroyed pyramidal and granule cells. Co-administration of equimolar kynurenate, an excitatory amino acid antagonist, markedly reduced the extent of neuronal cell death. L-Proline destroyed far more hippocampal neurons than D-proline, in keeping with its greater neuroexcitatory potency. L-Proline must therefore be added to the list of excitotoxins present in brain. Its excitotoxic action may be related to the neurological and cognitive deficits associated with hyperprolinemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Nadler
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hakim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008845:Microinjections; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011392:Proline / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D009498:Neurotoxins; D011392:Proline