Fig. 4
Taurine transport inhibition elevates accumbal taurine levels with no further effect of ethanol. Time-course graphs of extracellular levels of taurine in the nAc following administration of A ethanol (300 mM) or vehicle (Ringer’s solution) and B the taurine transporter inhibitor GES (5 mM) alone or together with ethanol using reversed microdialysis within the nAc. Area under the curve of C taurine levels during local perfusion with vehicle or GES during 0–80 min demonstrates GES to elevate extracellular taurine levels compared to Ringer-treated controls. Area under the curve of D taurine levels during local perfusion with vehicle, ethanol or GES alone or together with ethanol in the nAc during time point 80–180 min shows ethanol to increase extracellular taurine levels compared to Ringer-treated controls and GES combined with ethanol not to increase extracellular taurine levels compared to GES alone. All data are presented as mean ± SEM. ***p < 0.001. AUC = area under the curve, EtOH = ethanol, GES = guanidinoethyl sulfonate, nAc = nucleus accumbens, Veh = vehicle.
