Prostaglandin E 2 stimulates glutamate release from synaptosomes of rat spinal cord

Abstract

We recently reported that intrathecal administration of prostaglandin E 2 induced hyperalgesic and allodynic effects through the glutamate receptor system. Here we examined whether prostaglandin E 2 could evoke amino acid release from nerve terminals using rat spinal cord synaptosomes. Exposure in superfusion to prostaglandin E 2 significantly increased endogenous glutamate and aspartate release and dose dependencies showed bell-shaped patterns with a peak at 1 nM. Both releases were almost absolutely Ca 2+-dependent. These results demonstrate that prostaglandin E2 may stimulate the release of excitatory amino acids presynaptically in the spinal cord.