Immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization studies on glycine transporter 1 after transient ischemia in the rat forebrain.

Glycine is a critical factor in ischemia as reduced astrocytic and increased extracellular glycine levels aggravate the neurotoxic effect of glutamate and consequently, increase the extent of brain damage. Extracellular levels of glycine are primarily regulated by the plasma membrane glycine transporter 1. In the present study, we examined the effects of transient ischemia (1 h occlusion of the middle cerebral artery; followed by 0 h, 0.