An Evaluation of γ‐Glutamyl Dipeptide Derivatives as Antagonists of Amino Acid‐Induced Na+ Fluxes in Rat Striatum Slices

Abstract
Various γ‐glutamyl dipeptide derivatives of the l and d configuration were tested as antagonists of excitatory amino acid‐induced [22Na+] efflux from rat striatum slices. The N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate‐ and kainic acid‐induced responses were much more affected by the presence of these peptides than were the l‐glutamate‐, l‐aspartate‐, and quisqualate‐induced responses. The dipeptides produced different patterns of antagonism of the responses to N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate and kainic acid, indicating that these latter excitants interact with distinct receptors.