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Effect of DHEA Glutamate Release from Synaptosomes of Rats at Different Ages

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Abstract

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) exerts multiple effects in the central nervous system. Most of them seem to be mediated through their nongenomic actions on neurotransmitter receptors, and these actions occur within seconds or milliseconds. DHEA increases neuronal excitability, enhances neuronal plasticity, and has neuroprotective properties. By investigating glutamate release from synaptosomes of rats at different ages (from 17 days to 12 months), we observed that (i) there is an increase in basal and K+-stimulated l-[3H] glutamate release in rats at 12 months old, when compared to other ages; and (ii) there is an inhibitory effect of DHEA on basal l-[3H] glutamate release in 12 months old. This inhibitory effect of DHEA could be related to its reported protective role against excitotoxicity caused by overstimulation of the glutamatergic system and ageing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

    Francisco L. R. Lhullier, Neusa G. Riera, Rafael Nicolaidis, Débora Junqueira, Kelly C. S. Dahm, Franciele Cipriani, Ana M. Brusque & Diogo O. Souza

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  1. Francisco L. R. Lhullier
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  2. Neusa G. Riera
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  3. Rafael Nicolaidis
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  4. Débora Junqueira
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  5. Kelly C. S. Dahm
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Correspondence to Francisco L. R. Lhullier.

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Lhullier, F.L.R., Riera, N.G., Nicolaidis, R. et al. Effect of DHEA Glutamate Release from Synaptosomes of Rats at Different Ages. Neurochem Res 29, 335–339 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:NERE.0000013735.50736.0a

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:NERE.0000013735.50736.0a

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