The role of astroglia in Pb-exposed adult rat brain with respect to glutamate toxicity

The results of current studies indicate that lead toxicity in adult rat brain activates astrocytic processes connected with the controlling of glutamate homeostasis. The response of astroglia is rather of neuroprotective character however, downexpression of GLT-1 glutamate transporter and activation of S-glutathionylation processes lead to the question about their significance in Pb-induced neurotoxicity.