Evoked release of endogenous adenosine from rat cortical slices by K⁺ and glutamate

Release of endogenous adenosine from rat cortical slices was determined in response to depolarization by 30 mM K⁺ and by exposure to glutamate. K⁺ and glutamate both relaease adenosine. Glutamate-evoke release was decreased by approximately 50% in the presence of the N-methyl-d-asparatate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, 2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV). The adenosine released by glutamate could modulate neurotransmission, and may have a protective effect in pathologic conditions of excess excitation involving glutamate.