Objective      To study the toxic effects of Rotenone on glutamate transporter and glutamine synthetase in rat brain.        Methods      The glutamate levels in the striatum of SD rats were detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)

the expression of glutamate tansporter mRNA and proteins were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting and the activity of glutamine synthetase was determined by using GS detect kit.       Results      Rotenone was shown to increase the release of glutamate in rat striatum

the expression of glutamate/aspartate transporter (GLAST) mRNA and protein decreased significantly in 0.6 mg/kg and 1.2 mg/kg Rotenone intoxicated groups

but the expression of GLT-1 and the activity of GS enhanced obviously.       Conclusion      Down-regulation of GLAST may be responsible for increased Glu level in rat brain induced by Rotenone

but the increased expression of GLT-1 and GS activity may represent a protective mechanism of the brain cells by limiting the neurotoxicity of Glu.