The chloride channel opening by GABA as an energy dependent process.

4-aminobutyric acid (GABA) induced an increase in the chloride ion uptake into synaptosomes from rat brain. The synaptosomal fraction used maintained its integrity and metabolic functionality. The chloride uptake was potentiated by the presence of succinate, reaching an increase of 46.5% and 76.4% without or with ADP respectively. These results were parallel to those obtained in the assays of oxygen consumption. These results suggest the energy dependence of the chloride uptake process.