Swelling and ion uptake in cat cerebrocortical slices: control by neurotransmitters and ion transport mechanisms.

Cat cerebrocortical slices incubating in medium containing normal K+ concentrations were exposed to a number of different transmitters. Norepinephrine, histamine and adenosine or 2-chloroadenosine caused increased swelling of the slices associated with an increased Na+ and Cl- content. These effects were seen only when both Cl- and HCO3- were present in the medium, and were inhibited by a number of anion transport inhibitors. These characteristics were identical to those of the HCO3(-)-dependent component of the swelling induced by high K+ levels in the medium. Other transmitters, namely 5-hydroxytryptamine, dopamine, and gamma-amino butyric acid, were ineffective. The effects of norepinephrine, histamine and 2-chloroadenosine were antagonised by propranolol and phentolamine, chlorpheniramine and diphenhydramine, and theophylline respectively. These antagonists also inhibited HCO3(-)-dependent, K+-stimulated swelling. The transmitters which induced swelling also stimulated the carbonic anhydrase activity of cerebrocortical slices. We conclude from these data that the HCO3(-)-dependent component of K+-stimulated swelling may be due to K+-stimulated release of transmitters. Furthermore, the fact that the transmitters which induce swelling have also been reported to be most effective in increasing cAMP content in both brain slices or cultured astrocytes is consistent with the swelling response being mediated via cAMP-induced changes and being predominantly localized to astrocytes.