Fingolimod inhibits glutamate release through activation of S1P1 receptors and the G protein βγ subunit-dependent pathway in rat cerebrocortical nerve terminals.

Fingolimod, a sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator approved for treating multiple sclerosis, is reported to prevent excitotoxic insult. Because excessive glutamate release is a major cause of neuronal damage in various neurological disorders, the effect of fingolimod on glutamate release in rat cerebrocortical nerve terminals (synaptosomes) was investigated in the current study. Fingolimod decreased 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-stimulated glutamate release and calcium concentration elevation.

Xanthohumol, an active constituent from hope, affords protection against kainic acid-induced excitotoxicity in rats.

Excitotoxicity induced by excessive glutamate has been implicated in many brain disorders. Xanthohumol is a natural product derived from hops (Humulus lupulus L.), which is reported to have glutamate release-inhibiting activity.

Metabotropic glutamate 7 receptor agonist AMN082 inhibits glutamate release in rat cerebral cortex nerve terminal.

AMN082 is a selective metabotropic glutamate mGlu receptor agonist reported to exhibit antidepressant activity. Considering that excessive glutamate release is involved in the pathogenesis of depression, the effect of N,N'-dibenzyhydryl-ethane-1,2-diamine dihydrochloride (AMN082) on glutamate release in rat cerebrocortical nerve terminals and the possible underlying mechanism were investigated. In this study, we observed here that AMN082 inhibited 4-aminopyridine-evoked glutamate release and this phenomenon was blocked by the metabotropic glutamate mGlu receptor antagonist MMPIP.

Amiodarone reduces depolarization-evoked glutamate release from hippocampual synaptosomes.

Decreased brain glutamate level has emerged as a new therapeutic approach for epilepsy. This study investigated the effect and mechanism of amiodarone, an anti-arrhythmic drug with antiepileptic activity, on glutamate release in the rat hippocampus. In a synaptosomal preparation, amiodarone reduced 4-aminopyridine-evoked Ca-dependent glutamate release and cytosolic Ca concentration elevation.

WAY208466 inhibits glutamate release at hippocampal nerve terminals.

Evidence suggests that the glutamatergic system plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology and treatment of depression. This study investigates the effect of WAY208466, a 5-HT6 receptor agonist exhibiting an antidepressant effect, on glutamate release from rat hippocampal nerve terminals (synaptosomes). WAY208466 inhibited the Ca(2+)-dependent release of glutamate that was evoked by exposing the synaptosomes to the potassium channel blocker 4-aminopyridine, and the selective 5-HT6 receptor antagonist SB258585 blocked this phenomenon.

Cerebral blood flow and apoptosis-associated factor with electroacupuncture in a traumatic brain injury rat model.

Objective: Electroacupuncture (EA) has been widely used for treatment of stroke, but there is little information on the effect of EA on the neuroprotective function in traumatic brain injury (TBI). The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of EA treatment in a TBI rat model.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham operation, TBI control, TBI+EA treated for 30 min or TBI+EA treated for 60 min.

Hinokitiol inhibits platelet activation ex vivo and thrombus formation in vivo.

Hinokitiol is a tropolone-related bioactive compound that has been used in hair tonics, cosmetics, and food as an antimicrobial agent. Recently, hinokitiol has attracted considerable interest because of its anticancer activities. Platelet activation plays a crucial role in atherothrombotic processes.