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High concentrations of naloxone attenuate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated neurotoxicity

https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-2999(87)90349-9Get rights and content

Abstract

(−)-Naloxone, 1 mM, partially reduced neuronal loss induced by exposure of murine cortical cell cultures to N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) or quinolinate, but produced little or no attenuation of kainate or quisqualate neurotoxicity. Antagonism of NMDA neurotoxicity was (−)-naloxone concentration-dependent between 100 μM and 3 mM. (+)-Naloxone produced a slightly greater reduction of NMDA neurotoxicity, arguing against mediation by opioid receptors. Although this novel neuron-protective action of (−)-naloxone was weak, it may contribute to reported beneficial effects in CNS ischemia.

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