In vitro studies on the putative function of N-acetylaspartate as an osmoregulator.

• Efflux and tissue content of N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and amino acids were evaluated from cultured and acutely prepared hippocampal slices in response to changes in osmolarity. The osmoregulator taurine, but not NAA, was lost from both types of slices after moderate reductions in extracellular osmolarity (-60 mOsm) for 10-48 h. Hypoosmotic shock (-166 mOsm) for 5 min resulted in unselective efflux of several amino acids from acutely prepared slices. Notably, the efflux of taurine, but not NAA, was prominent also after the shock. Efflux of NAA was markedly enhanced by NMDA and high K(+), in particular after the stimulation period. The high K(+)-mediated efflux was decreased by high extracellular osmolarity and a NMDA-receptor antagonist. The results indicate that NAA efflux can be induced by a sudden non-physiological decrease in extracellular osmolarity but not by prolonged more moderate changes in osmolarity. The mechanisms behind the efflux of NAA by high K(+) are complex and may involve both swelling and activation of NMDA-receptors.

Nyckelord

Animals

Aspartic Acid

analogs & derivatives

metabolism

Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists

metabolism

Hippocampus

cytology

metabolism

N-Methylaspartate

metabolism

Osmolar Concentration

Potassium

metabolism

Rats

Rats

Sprague-Dawley

Taurine

metabolism

Tissue Culture Techniques

Water-Electrolyte Balance

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)