Reactive oxygen species induced by presynaptic glutamate receptor activation is involved in [3H]GABA release from rat brain cortical nerve terminals

► Activation of presynaptic glutamate receptors triggers ROS generation in axon terminals. ► Effect of glutamate as well as NMDA and kainate is dose-dependent. ► NADPH oxidase is implicated in glutamate receptor agonist-induced ROS production. ► Kainate receptors can be considered as a major stimulator of ROS generation in axon terminals. ► Increased level of ROS potentiates GABA release.