Modulatory effects of prostaglandin D2, E2 and F2 alpha on the postsynaptic actions of inhibitory and excitatory amino acids in cerebellar Purkinje cell dendrites in vitro.

For the purpose of revealing the physiological functions or roles of prostaglandins (PGs), PGD2 in particular, in the central nervous system, the effects of PGD2, E2 and F2 alpha on the postsynaptic actions of GABA, taurine, L-glutamate and L-aspartate on Purkinje cell dendrites in guinea pig, cerebellar slices were electrophysiologically investigated using intradendritic recording. Iontophoretic application of PGD2 alone either depolarized or hyperpolarized some Purkinje cell dendrites, while PGE2 and F2 alpha induced only depolarizations. All PGs tested showed fairly strong potentiation of the inhibitory action of GABA or taurine and of the excitatory action of L-glutamate or L-aspartate on Purkinje cell dendrites. As a possible mechanism of action, the change of the cyclic nucleotide level induced by PGs was tentatively suggested as being involved in the potentiating action of PGs on excitatory amino acids.