Transporter-mediated L-glutamate elimination from cerebrospinal fluid: possible involvement of excitatory amino acid transporters expressed in ependymal cells and choroid plexus epithelial cells

摘要

BackgroundL-Glutamate (L-Glu) is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS, and its level in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is reported to be increased in neuroexcitatory diseases such as epilepsy. Since L-Glu concentration in the CSF is reported to be lower than that in plasma, it has been proposed that some mechanisms of L-Glu clearance from the CSF operate in the brain. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the major pathway of L-Glu elimination from rat CSF and the transporters responsible.