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Mode of action of taurine as a neuroprotector
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Mode of action of taurine as a neuroprotector

Heng Wu, Ying Jin, Jianning Wei, Hong Jin, Di Sha and Jang-Yen Wu
Brain research, v 1038(2), pp 123-131
21 Mar 2005
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2005.01.058
PMID: 15757628
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel

Abstract

Amino acid receptor Calcium channel Excitotoxicity Glutamate Neuroprotection Taurine
Previously, it has been shown that taurine exerts its protective function against glutamate-induced neuronal excitotoxicity through its action in reducing glutamate-induced elevation of intracellular free calcium, [Ca 2+] i. Here, we report the mechanism underlying the effect of taurine in reducing [Ca 2+] i. We found that taurine inhibited glutamate-induced calcium influx through L-, P/Q-, N-type voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) and NMDA receptor calcium channel. Surprisingly, taurine had no effect on calcium influx through NMDA receptor calcium channel when cultured neurons were treated with NMDA in Mg 2+-free medium. Since taurine was found to prevent glutamate-induced membrane depolarization, we propose that taurine protects neurons against glutamate excitotoxicity by preventing glutamate-induced membrane depolarization, probably through its effect in opening of chloride channels and, therefore, preventing the glutamate-induced increase in calcium influx and other downstream events.

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Neurosciences
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