title: Depolarization-evoked release of gamma-hydroxybutyrate from rat brain slices.
abstract: The release of gamma-hydroxybutyrate from preloaded rat brain striatal slices was investigated. K+-induced depolarization caused an efflux of gamma-hydroxybutyrate of about 50 fmol min-1 mg-1 (wet weight), but in a Ca2+-free medium containing Mg2+, the evoked release was reduced by 50-60%. The release was higher when 100 microM veratridine was used as a depolarizing agent. The efflux of gamma-hydroxybutyrate is related to veratridine and K+ concentration, and is strongly inhibited by 10 microM tetrodotoxin. The Ca2+ channel blocker verapamil induces a large decrease in the efflux of gamma-hydroxybutyrate after both K+- and veratridine-induced depolarization. These results are in favour of a possible transmitter function for gamma-hydroxybutyrate in rat striatum.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D011188:Potassium / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012978:Sodium Oxybate / Q000378:metabolism*; D014700:Verapamil / Q000494:pharmacology; D014701:Veratridine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D014701:Veratridine; D012978:Sodium Oxybate; D014700:Verapamil; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium