Hyperbaric oxygen induced in rats a decrease in striatal dopamine levels. Such decrease could be a result of changes in glutamatergic and GABAergic controls of the dopaminergic neurons into the Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta. The aim of this study was to determine the role of gluatamatergic and Gama-Amino-Butyric-Acid neurotransmissions in this alteration. Dopamine-sensitive electrodes were implanted into the striatum under general anesthesia. After one week rest, awaked rats were exposed to oxygen-nitrogen mixture at a partial pressure of oxygen of 3 absolute atmospheres. Dopamine level was monitored continuously (every 3 min) by in vivo voltammetry with multifiber carbon electrodes before and during hyperbaric oxygen exposure. Hyperbaric oxygen induced a decrease in dopamine level in relationship with the increase in partial pressure of oxygen (-40% at 3 ATA). The used of N-Methyl-D-Aspartate, agonist of glutamatergic N-Methyl-D-Aspartate receptors did not improve considerably this change and gabazine antagonist of Gama-Amino-Butyric-Acid-a receptors induced some little alteration of this change. These results suggest the involvement of other mechanisms.
Keywords: Basal ganglia; Glutamate; Hyperbaric oxygen; Monoamine; Neurotransmission.