Sodium glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid affect iron metabolism in the rat caudate putamen

Glutamic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) influence iron content in the substantia nigra and globus pallidus, although the mechanisms of action remain unclear. The present study measured iron content and changes in divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) and hephaestin expression in the substantia nigra and caudate putamen, and explored the effects of GABA and glutamic acid on iron metabolism. Results demonstrated that iron content and DMT1 non iron response element [DMT1(-IRE)] expression were significantly greater but hephaestin expression was significantly lower in the caudate putamen of the monosodium glutamate group compared with the control group. No significant difference in iron content was detected between the GABA and control groups. DMT1(-IRE) expression was significantly reduced, but hephaestin expression was significantly increased in the GABA group compared with the control group. In addition, there was no significant difference in tyrosine hydroxylase expression between monosodium glutamate and GABA groups and the control group. These results suggested that glutamate affected iron metabolism in the caudate putamen by increasing DMT1(-IRE) and decreasing hephaestin expression. In addition, GABA decreased DMT1(-IRE) expression in the caudate putamen.