Ethanol-induced aspartate and taurine release from primary astrocyte cultures.
Exposure of primary astrocyte cultures to isosmotic ethanol from 10-100 mM led to both swelling of the cells and release of [3H]taurine and D-[3H]aspartate. Exposure to hyperosmotic ethanol, in the same concentration range, caused neither swelling nor release. Release was inhibited by the anion transport blocker L-644,711, already shown to inhibit amino acid release evoked by hypoosmotic or high-potassium medium, conditions that also cause astrocytic swelling. Ethanol-induced release generally showed a decline in response to successive exposures to ethanol, and release was not dependent on extracellular calcium. Thus, the characteristics of swelling-induced release of amino acids by isosmotic ethanol seem to correspond to those of swelling-induced release from astrocytes due to exposure to hypotonic or high-K+ media. We discuss whether such effects may contribute to CNS damage after head injury and stroke.
Kimelberg
H K
HK
Division of Neurosurgery, Albany Medical College, New York 12208.
Cheema
M
M
O'Connor
E R
ER
Tong
H
H
Goderie
S K
SK
Rossman
P A
PA
D000818:Animals; D027321:Anion Transport Proteins; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D051381:Rats; D013395:Sucrose / Q000494:pharmacology; D013654:Taurine / Q000378:metabolism*
D027321:Anion Transport Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D013654:Taurine; D001224:Aspartic Acid; D000431:Ethanol; D013395:Sucrose; D002118:Calcium