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Drug transfer across the blood-brain barrier and improvement of brain delivery.

The blood-brain barrier is formed by the endothelial cells of the brain capillaries. Its primary characteristic is the impermeability of the capillary wall due to the presence of complex tight junctions and a low endocytic activity. Essential nutrients are delivered to the brain by selective transport mechanisms, such as the glucose transporter and a variety of amino acid transporters. Although most drugs enter the brain by passive diffusion through the endothelial cells depending on their lipophilicity, degree of ionization, molecular weight, relative brain tissue and plasma bindings, some others can use specific endogenous transporters. In such cases, binding competition on the transporter with endogenous products or nutrients can occur and limits drug transfer. The blood-brain barrier can be a major impediment for the treatment of diseases of the central nervous system, since many drugs are unable to reach this organ at therapeutic concentrations. Various attempts have been made to overcome the limiting access of drugs to the brain, e.g. chemical modification, development of more hydrophobic analogs or linking an active compound to a specific carrier. Transient opening of the blood-brain barrier in humans has been achieved by intracarotid infusion of hypertonic mannitol solutions or of bradykinin analogs. Another way to increase or decrease brain delivery of drugs is to modulate the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) whose substrates are actively pumped out the cell into the capillary lumen. Many P-gp inhibitors or inducers are available to enhance the therapeutic effects of centrally acting drugs or to decrease central adverse effects of peripherally active drugs.

Animals↗

A pilot study on brain-to-plasma partition of 10,11-dyhydro-10-hydroxy-5H-dibenzo(b,f)azepine-5-carboxamide and MDR1 brain expression in epilepsy patients not responding to oxcarbazepine.

PURPOSE: We measured the brain-to-plasma partition of 10,11-dihydro-10-hydroxy-5H-dibenzo(b,f)azepine-5-carboxamide (10-OHCBZ) in epilepsy patients undergoing surgery to alleviate drug-resistant seizures and administered with different oral doses of oxcarbazepine (OXC). We addressed the possible contribution of the multidrug transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp or MDR1) in determining 10-OHCBZ brain levels by measuring whether this active metabolite is a substrate of P-gp and the relation between the level of expression of MDR1 and the drug concentration in the same brain tissue specimens. METHODS: Steady-state plasma and brain concentrations (C(ss)) of 10-OHCBZ were determined intraoperatively in 11 patients by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection. The level of expression of MDR1 mRNA was measured in surgically resected brain tissue by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The ability of 10-OHCBZ to act as substate of P-gp was evaluated by measuring its uptake in cell lines expressing different levels of P-gp, in the presence or absence of a selective P-gp inhibitor. RESULTS: OXC was converted to 10-OHCBZ and to Di-OHCBZ, the two main metabolites measured in plasma. The brain concentrations of the active metabolite 10-OHCBZ did not reflect plasma C(ss). A significant inverse linear correlation was found between 10-OHCBZ brain-to-plasma concentration ratio and the level of brain expression of MDR1 mRNA. In vitro uptake studies demonstrated lower intracellular 10-OHCBZ levels in cells with higher P-gp expression. Intracellular drug concentration was increased by XR9576, a specific P-gp blocker. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacologic failure of OXC in pharmacoresistant epilepsy is unlikely to be due to alterations in drug metabolism. 10-OHCBZ does not appear to cross the blood-brain barrier by simple diffusion, and it acts as a substrate of P-gp. The level of expression of MDR1 is inversely correlated with 10-OHCBZ concentration in the epileptic tissue. P-gp may play a role in the pharmacoresistance to OXC by determining the attainment of insufficient concentrations of its active metabolite at neuronal targets.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Comparison of brain extracellular fluid, brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, and serum concentrations of antiepileptic drugs measured intraoperatively in patients with intractable epilepsy.

PURPOSE: The mechanisms of drug resistance in epilepsy are only incompletely understood. According to a current concept, overexpression of drug efflux transporters at the blood-brain barrier may reduce levels of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in epileptogenic brain tissue. Increased expression of drug efflux transporters such as P-glycoprotein has been found in brain tissue surgically resected from patients with medically intractable epilepsy, but it is not known whether this leads to decreased extracellular (interstitial) AED concentrations in affected brain regions. This prompted us to measure concentrations of AEDs in the extracellular space of human neocortical tissue by using intraoperative microdialysis (IOMD) in those parts of the brain that had to be removed for therapeutic reasons. For comparison, AED levels were determined in brain tissue, subarachnoid CSF, and serum. METHODS: Concentrations of carbamazepine (CBZ), 10-hydroxy-carbazepine (10-OH-CZ, metabolite of oxcarbazepine), lamotrigine (LTG), levetiracetam (LEV), topiramate, or phenytoin were determined by using one to four catheters during IOMD in the medial temporal gyrus. Furthermore, to calculate the individual recovery of every catheter, an in vitro microdialysis was performed with ultrafiltrate of serum concurrently obtained from the respective patient. In addition, AED levels were determined in the resected brain tissue, CSF, and serum of the same patients. Altogether 22 pharmacoresistant epilepsy patients (nine male, 13 female patients; age 15-54 years) with complex partial seizures or secondarily generalized seizures were involved. In a first series, IOMD samples 40 min after beginning of the microdialysis (flow rate, 1 microl/min), and in a second series, continuous measurements 25, 30, 35, and 40 min from the beginning were evaluated (flow rate, 2 microl/min). With in vitro recovery data of the individual catheters, the concentration in the extracellular space (ECS) was estimated. RESULTS: AED concentrations in the ECS of the cortex measured by catheters located at a distance of 0.6 cm differed markedly in some patients, whereas concentrations in the ultrafiltrate of the serum of the respective patients measured with the same catheters varied only slightly. Furthermore, ECS concentrations related to the ultrafiltrate of serum showed considerable interindividual variations. The high intra- and interindividual variation of ECS concentrations is demonstrated by the low correlation between concentrations in ECS and the ultrafiltrate of serum (CBZ, r= 0.41; 10-OH-CZ, r= 0.42; LTG, r= 0.27) in contrast to the high correlation between brain tissue concentration and the ultrafiltrate of serum (CBZ, r= 0.97; 10-OH-CZ, r= 0.88; LTG, r= 0.98) in the same group of patients. When comparing AED concentrations in the ECS with those in the CSF, ECS concentrations were significantly lower for CBZ, 10-OH-CZ, LTG, and LEV. CONCLUSIONS: The data demonstrate that AED concentrations show a considerable intraindividual and interindividual variation in the ECS of cortical regions. Furthermore, the ECS concentration of several AEDs is significantly lower than their CSF concentration in patients with intractable epilepsy. However, in the absence of data from nonepileptic tissues, it is not possible to judge whether the present findings relate to overexpression of multidrug transporters in the brain. Instead, the present study illustrates the methodologic difficulties involved in performing IOMD studies in patients and may thus be helpful for future approaches aimed at elucidating the role of multidrug transporters in epilepsy.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Delivery of beta-galactosidase to mouse brain via the blood-brain barrier transferrin receptor.

Enzyme replacement therapy of lysosomal storage disorders is complicated by the lack of enzyme transport across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The present studies evaluate the delivery of a model enzyme across the BBB following enzyme conjugation to a BBB receptor-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb). Bacterial beta-galactosidase (116 kDa) was conjugated to the rat 8D3 mAb to the rat transferrin receptor (TfR) via a streptavidin-biotin linkage. The unconjugated beta-galactosidase or the beta-galactosidase-8D3 conjugate was injected intravenously in adult mice, and enzyme activity was measured at 1 and 4 h in brain and peripheral organs (liver, spleen, kidney, and heart). Unconjugated beta-galactosidase was rapidly removed from the blood compartment owing to avid uptake by liver and spleen. There was minimal uptake of the unconjugated beta-galactosidase by brain. Following conjugation of the enzyme to the 8D3 TfRmAb, there was a 10-fold increase in brain uptake of the enzyme based on measurement of enzyme activity. Histochemistry of brain showed localization of the enzyme in the intraendothelial compartment of brain following intravenous injection of the enzyme-mAb conjugate. The capillary depletion technique showed that more than 90% of the enzyme-8D3 conjugate that entered into the endothelial compartment of brain passed through the BBB to enter brain parenchyma. In conclusion, high molecular weight enzymes, such as bacterial beta-galactosidase, can be conjugated to BBB targeting antibodies for effective delivery across the BBB in vivo. Fusion proteins comprised of BBB targeting antibodies and recombinant enzymes could be therapeutic in the treatment of the brain in human lysosomal storage disorders.

Animals↗

Human brain glycogen content and metabolism: implications on its role in brain energy metabolism.

The adult brain relies on glucose for its energy needs and stores it in the form of glycogen, primarily in astrocytes. Animal and culture studies indicate that brain glycogen may support neuronal function when the glucose supply from the blood is inadequate and/or during neuronal activation. However, the concentration of glycogen and rates of its metabolism in the human brain are unknown. We used in vivo localized 13C-NMR spectroscopy to measure glycogen content and turnover in the human brain. Nine healthy volunteers received intravenous infusions of [1-(13)C]glucose for durations ranging from 6 to 50 h, and brain glycogen labeling and washout were measured in the occipital lobe for up to 84 h. The labeling kinetics suggest that turnover is the main mechanism of label incorporation into brain glycogen. Upon fitting a model of glycogen metabolism to the time courses of newly synthesized glycogen, human brain glycogen content was estimated at approximately 3.5 micromol/g, i.e., three- to fourfold higher than free glucose at euglycemia. Turnover of bulk brain glycogen occurred at a rate of 0.16 micromol.g-1.h-1, implying that complete turnover requires 3-5 days. Twenty minutes of visual stimulation (n=5) did not result in detectable glycogen utilization in the visual cortex, as judged from similar [13C]glycogen levels before and after stimulation. We conclude that the brain stores a substantial amount of glycogen relative to free glucose and metabolizes this store very slowly under normal physiology.

Adult↗

Modulation of the blood-brain barrier permeability in neonatal cytotoxic brain edema: laboratory and morphological findings obtained on newborn piglets with experimental pneumothorax.

Acute, bilateral pneumothorax (PT) was produced in 14 newborn piglets. The clinical status of the operated and 14 control animals was monitored by measuring the arterial blood gases, acid-base balance and mean arterial blood pressure. Different brain regions were processed for electron microscopy and albumin immunohistochemistry; water and electrolyte contents were also determined at the end stage of experimental intervention. Electron microscopy showed more intense pinocytotic activity in the endothelium of brain capillaries from PT animals evaluated by morphometry. Statistically significant (p less than 0.01) differences were found in the distribution of pinocytotic vesicles in different brain areas of PT animals. The blood-brain barrier seemed to be impermeable to albumin in all brain regions both in the controls and in the PT group. Parallel with the changes observed in pinocytosis, the water and sodium contents were also increased in the PT group in the parietal cortex (water content 85.18 +/- SD 0.81% vs. 84.10 +/- SD 0.52%, p less than 0.01; sodium content in wet brain tissue 70.94 +/- SD 8.44 mmol/kg vs. 65.09 +/- SD 4.43 mmol/kg, p less than 0.05, in dry brain tissue 481.70 +/- 75.70 mmol/kg vs. 410.15 +/- SD 35.45 mmol/kg, p less than 0.05) and in the cerebellum (water content 83.95 +/- SD 1.08% vs. 83.02 +/- SD 0.89%, p less than 0.05; sodium content in wet brain tissue 60.67 +/- SD 3.16 mmol/kg vs. 55.90 +/- 6.26 mmol/kg, p less than 0.01). However, in other brain regions--especially in the water-shed area--there was no correlation between the changes of pinocytosis and water-electrolyte contents of the tissues. It is suggested that the type of edema developing in this severe cardiovascular/hypoxic collapse is cytotoxic of origin and this fact should be more seriously taken into account in the treatment of the disease.

Animals↗

Brain tissue pH after global brain ischemia and barbiturate loading in rats.

Studies were done on rats to determine whether thiopental loading after complete, transient, global brain ischemia causes more rapid postischemic normalization of brain tissue pH. Fifteen halothane-anesthetized rats were subjected to 16 min of complete global brain ischemia by a combination of systemic arterial hypotension (40 torr) and a high pressure (1500 torr) neck cuff. Brain tissue pH was continuously monitored for up to 2 hour postischemia with microelectrodes (tip diameters of one to two micrometers) inserted about 500 micrometers into the parietal cortex. During ischemia, brain pH fell rapidly within the first 5 min from 7.0 to 6.2 and changed little thereafter. With restoration of arterial pressure and deflation of the neck cuff, pH did not immediately begin to rise back towards normal. Instead, after a few minutes, it transiently fell to even lower values before beginning to increase indicating increased tissue lactic acidosis when the brain is resaturated with glucose upon reperfusion. Beginning at 5 min postischemia, 7 of the 15 rats were infused with thiopental (90 mg/kg, IV over 60 min). At 30 min postischemia, brain tissue pH was similar in both groups and by 60 min, back to preischemic values. We conclude that thiopental loading postischemia does not improve normalization of brain pH. The transient decrease in brain pH with reperfusion is discussed.

Animals↗

The blood-brain barrier and brain drug delivery.

The present report encompasses a thorough review of drug delivery to the brain with a particular focus on using drug carriers such as liposomes and nanoparticles. Challenges in brain drug delivery arise from the presence of one of the strictest barriers in vivo-the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This barrier exists at the level of endothelial cells of brain vasculature and its role is to maintain brain homeostasis. To better understand the principles of brain drug delivery, relevant knowledge of the blood-brain barrier anatomy and physiology is briefly reviewed. Several approaches to overcome the BBB have been reviewed including the use of carrier systems. In addition, strategies to enhance brain drug delivery by specific brain targeting are discussed.

Blood-Brain Barrier↗

Cellular localization of vasopressin V1a receptor messenger ribonucleic acid in adult male rat brain, pineal, and brain vasculature.

Vasopressin V1a receptor (V1aR) transcripts were localized in brain, pineal, and superficial brain vascular tissues of adult male rats using hybridization histochemistry and an [35S]riboprobe complementary to the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) encoding the fifth to the midseventh transmembrane regions of the receptor. V1aR mRNA was extensively distributed throughout brain and was expressed in 1) superficial cells of the granule cell layers of the main olfactory bulb, hippocampal dentate gyrus, and cerebellum; 2) numerous anatomically distinct brain nuclei; 3) isolated cells dispersed throughout the central nervous system; 4) cells of the choroid plexus, occasional blood vessels in the olfactory bulb and interpeduncular nucleus, and extraparenchymal intracranial vasculature; and 5) some white matter structures. Numerous cells expressing V1aR transcripts were found in forebrain structures, including primary olfactory (piriform) cortex, the anterior and posterior olfactory nuclei; dorsal, intermediate, and ventral lateral septal nuclei; the septo-fimbrial nucleus and accumbens nucleus; and numerous hypothalamic regions with the most intense hypothalamic labeling in the arcuate, stigmoid, suprachiasmatic, and periventricular nuclei and the lateral hypothalamic area. Cells expressing V1aR transcripts were ubiquitous throughout the midbrain, pontine, and medullary regions. A lower intensity signal was found in cells of the parvocellular paraventricular and anteroventral nucleus of the thalamus, circumventricular organs including the pineal, and the subfornical organ. V1aR transcripts were not generally detected in parenchymal vasculature, but could be found over large blood vessels in the interpeduncular nucleus and medial olfactory bulb; transcripts were commonly detected in perivascular brain cells. V1aR mRNA was abundantly expressed by choroid plexus, endothelial cells of midline blood vessels between the main olfactory bulbs, and superficial vascular tissue on all brain surfaces. These data confirm the presence of the vascular/hepatic-type V1aR gene in brain tissue and document an extensive expression. The distribution of V1aR mRNA suggests that there are at least two types of vasopressin-responsive cells in brain: one type exemplified by lateral septal ara neurons innervated by classical axodendritic/somatic synaptic vasopressinergic terminals and a second, perivascular/vascular type that would facilitate humoral vasopressinergic signaling in the brain.

Animals↗

Brain- and heart-type fatty acid-binding proteins in the brain: tissue distribution and clinical utility.

BACKGROUND: Detection of brain injury by serum markers is not a standard procedure in clinical practice, although several proteins, such as S100B, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), myelin basic protein, and glial fibrillary acidic protein, show promising results. We investigated the tissue distribution of brain- and heart-type fatty acid-binding proteins (B-FABP and H-FABP) in segments of the human brain and the potential of either protein to serve as plasma marker for diagnosis of brain injury. METHODS: B-FABP and H-FABP were measured immunochemically in autopsy samples of the brain (n = 6) and in serum samples from (a) patients with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI; n = 130) and (b) depressed patients undergoing bilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT; n = 14). The protein markers S100B and NSE were measured for comparison. Reference values of B-FABP and H-FABP were established in healthy individuals (n = 92). RESULTS: The frontal, temporal, and occipital lobes, the striatum, the pons, and the cerebellum had different tissue concentrations of B-FABP and of H-FABP. B-FABP ranged from 0.8 microg/g wet weight in striatum tissue to 3.1 microg/g in frontal lobe. H-FABP was markedly higher, ranging from 16.2 microg/g wet weight in cerebellum tissue to 39.5 microg/g in pons. No B-FABP was detected in serum from healthy donors. H-FABP serum reference value was 6 microg/L. In the MTBI study, serum B-FABP was increased in 68% and H-FABP in 70% of patients compared with S100B (increased in 45%) and NSE (increased in 51% of patients). In ECT, serum B-FABP was increased in 6% of all samples (2 of 14 patients), whereas H-FABP was above its upper reference limit (6 microg/L) in 17% of all samples (8 of 14 patients), and S100B was above its upper reference limit (0.3 microg/L) in 0.4% of all samples. CONCLUSIONS: B-FABP and H-FABP patterns differ among brain tissues, with the highest concentrations in the frontal lobe and pons, respectively. However, in each part of the brain, the H-FABP concentration was at least 10 times higher than that of B-FABP. Patient studies indicate that B-FABP and H-FABP are more sensitive markers for minor brain injury than the currently used markers S100B and NSE.

Adult↗

Interactions between macrophages and brain microvascular endothelial cells: role in pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection and blood - brain barrier function.

Monocytes have been shown to infiltrate in brain tissue during various neurological disorders including AIDS dementia complex. The presence of an excess of activated macrophages in brain tissue is accompanied by tissue damage resulting in a loss in neuronal function and viability. Therapeutic options against such neurological disorders could therefore be aimed at the prevention of monocyte infiltration across the blood - brain barrier. Therefore, a better understanding of these processes is needed. Recent insights in cellular processes between monocytes/macrophages and brain microvascular endothelial cells in the neuropathogenesis of HIV-1 infection demonstrate that monocytes roll on endothelial cells via the inducible endothelial adhesion molecule E-selectin. Binding of these cells are mainly mediated via the endothelial adhesion molecule vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. The transmigration through the blood - brain barrier is facilitated by both endothelial and monocyte/macrophage-derived nitric oxide and by the increased production of gelatinase B activity by HIV-infected monocytes/macrophages. Chemokines produced within the brain regulate the traffic of the infiltrating monocytes through the brain parenchyma. In addition, endothelial cells also produce monocyte attracting chemokines during their first interactions with HIV-infected monocytes/macrophages thus promoting additional influx of phagocytes into the brain. Furthermore, excessive infiltration of monocytes is accompanied by endothelial damage resulting in the loss of tight junctions. Thus, in toto, brain microvascular endothelial cells might contribute to the neuropathogenesis of HIV-1 infection.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

Hyperosmotic blood-brain barrier disruption in brains of rats with an intracerebrally transplanted RG-C6 tumor.

To test the results of blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption in the treatment of brain tumor, RG-C6 glioma was transplanted into the brains of rats. Intracarotid infusions of normal saline and hyperosmotic mannitol were then made, followed by intravenous injection of Evans blue dye plus albumin (EB, MW 68,000), horseradish peroxidase (HRP, MW 40,000), and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU, MW 130). Uptake of the drug and the consistency of drug levels in the normal brain and tumor varied widely among these three agents. Both EB and HRP penetrated the brain tumors but did not stain the normal brain tissues. After BBB opening, penetration of EB and HRP into the normal brain was drastically increased; however, the uptake of EB and HRP in the tumor was not increased. The concentration of 5-FU in the tumor was higher than that in the serum and, although it increased 1.5-fold after BBB opening, the increase was not statistically significant. Conversely, there was a progressive increase in concentrations of 5-FU in the tumor-free brain regions (p less than 0.05). These observations suggest that an intracarotid infusion of hyperosmotic mannitol may increase neurotoxicity because it allows greater delivery of anticancer drugs into the normal brain tissue than into the tumor tissues.

Animals↗

[Expression of PCNA and Bcl-2 in the traumatic brains implanted with embryonic brain tissue in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of PCNA and Bcl-2 in the traumatic brain area transplanted with embryonic brain tissue in rats. METHODS: The cerebral contusion of rats was induced by dropping weight. The homogenates of embryonic brain tissue were transplanted into the traumatic brain area two weeks after injury. All rats were sacrificed 6 weeks after injury (4 weeks after transplantation), and their brains were examined histologically. The expressions of PCNA and Bcl-2 in the brains were analyzed by immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: The histology of brain presented the capillary and glia proliferation, especially in the transplantation group. No significant difference was found in the expression of PCNA between two groups. However, Bcl-2 was overexpressed in the transplantation group. CONCLUSION: The transplantation of the embryonic brain tissue enhances the expression of Bcl-2, which may play a neuroprotective role following traumatic brain injury.

Animals↗

[Photomacrography of brain surface for evaluating blood-brain barrier disruption within 24 h after focal cerebral ischemia in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a new photomacrographic analysis of morphological changes on brain surface to evaluate blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption. METHODS: Permanent focal cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in mice. Brains were removed 10 min, 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h after MCAO. The whole brains and brain slices were photographed by a digital camera. BBB disruption was evaluated by hemorrhage and traced Evans blue (EB) on the brain surface. Fluoremetric quantitation of EB and water content in the brains were also performed at various time points. RESULT: Photomacrographic morphological analysis showed that hemorrhage and traced EB on the surface of the brains significantly increased from 3 h after focal cerebral ischemia,which were correlated to the results in the brain slices. EB content in the ischemic hemispheres was significantly increased from 0.5 h after MCAO, and water content was increased from 1 h after MCAO. CONCLUSION: Photomacrographic measurement is a simple and useful method for evaluating BBB disruption semi-quantitatively, and can detect BBB disruption earlier after focal cerebral ischemia in mice.

Animals↗

Limited distribution of new quinolone antibacterial agents into brain caused by multiple efflux transporters at the blood-brain barrier.

Transport of new quinolone antibacterial agents (quinolones) at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) was studied in vitro by using immortalized rat brain capillary endothelial cells RBEC1, and in vivo by using the brain perfusion method in rats and multidrug-resistant mdr1a/1b gene-deficient mice. The permeability coefficient of grepafloxacin measured by brain perfusion was increased by an excess of unlabeled grepafloxacin, suggesting a participation of a saturable BBB efflux system. Uptake coefficients of [(14)C]grepafloxacin, [(14)C]sparfloxacin, and [(14)C]levofloxacin by RBEC1 cells at the steady state were increased in the presence of the unlabeled quinolones. The steady-state uptake of [(14)C]grepafloxacin was increased in the presence of various quinolones. Brain distributions of [(14)C]grepafloxacin and [(14)C]sparfloxacin evaluated in terms of the brain-to-plasma free concentration ratio in mdr1a/1b gene-deficient mice were significantly higher than those in wild-type mice, demonstrating an involvement of P-glycoprotein as the efflux transporter. Anionic compounds, including 4, 4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) and genistein, increased the steady-state uptake of [(14)C]grepafloxacin by RBEC1 cells. Because [(14)C]grepafloxacin was transported by multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP), in MRP1-overexpressing cells and because RBEC1 and primary cultured brain capillary endothelial cells expressed MRP1, this protein may be an additional efflux transporter for quinolones. Furthermore, the permeability coefficient of [(14)C]grepafloxacin across the BBB was increased by DIDS or in the absence of bicarbonate ions in the brain perfusion method. DIDS or bicarbonate ion did not affect MRP1 function. Accordingly, the brain distribution of quinolones is restricted by the action of multiple efflux transporters, including P-glycoprotein, MRP1, and an unknown anion exchange transporter.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗

[Brain abscess and ventriculitis associated with entrapment of the lateral ventricle appearing more like remarkable brain edema than ventricular dilatation--a case report].

We present a case with brain abscess associated with entrapment of the lateral ventricle appearing more like remarkable brain edema in the temporo-occipital lobe than ventricular dilatation. A 72-year-old man suffering from headache and vomiting visited our clinic. CT and MRI showed brain abscess in the right parieto-occipital lobe, associated with ventriculitis. Lumbar puncture also revealed purulent meningitis. Both symptoms and CSF findings improved after administration of antibiotics. The improved condition continued for two months after admission, but disturbed consciousness and left hemiparesis than appeared. MRI and CT showed entrapment of the lateral ventricle and brain edema of the right temporo-occipital region without ventricular dilatation. Because brain edema was thought to be caused by transudate of the CSF through the ventricular wall, lobectomy of the right temporal lobe and opening of the temporal horn were carried out. Although left hemiparesis and disturbed consciousness and brain edema disappeared after the operation, subdural effusion appeared. Using a subdural-peritoneal shunt, the subdural effusion was prevented and disappeared. In this case, we thought Hounsfield Unit (HU) of the brain edema caused by transudate of CSF through the ventricular wall (12.6) was markedly lower than that of so-called vasogenic edema (25.1) due to active inflammation. Measurement of the HU seemed to be a useful means to differentiate the types of brain edema in this situation from that of vasogenic edema caused by brain abscess, and thus a means for selection of the appropriate treatment.

Aged↗

[Cerebral circulation and metabolism in the patients with higher brain dysfunction caused by chronic minor traumatic brain injury: a study by the positron emission tomography in twenty subjects with normal MRI findings].

Many individuals are affected on their higher brain functions, such as intelligence, memory, and attention, even after minor traumatic brain injury (MTBI). Although higher brain dysfunction is based on impairment of the cerbral circulation and metabolism, the precise relationship between them remains unknown. This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between the cerebral circulation or cerebral metabolism and higher brain dysfunction. Twenty subjects with higher brain dysfunction caused by chronic MTBI were studied. They had no abnormal MRI findings. The full-scale intelligence quotient (FIQ) were quantitatively evaluated by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R), and the subjects were classified into the normal group and the impaired group. Concurrent with the evaluation of FIQ, positron emission tomography (PET) was performed by the steady state method with 15O gases inhalation. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2) were calculated in the bilateral frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobe. First, of all twenty subjects, we investigated rCBF, OEF and CMRO2 in all regions. Then we compared rCBF, OEF, and CMRO2 between the normal group and the impaired group based on FIQ score. We also studied the change of FIQ score of 13 subjects 9.3 months after the first evaluation. In addition, we investigated the change of rCBF, OEF and CMRO2 along with the improvement of FIQ score. Although rCBF and OEF of all subjects were within the normal range in all regions, CMRO2 of more than half of subjects was under the lower normal limit in all regions except in the right occipital lobe, showing the presence of "relative luxury perfusion". Comparison of rCBF, OEF and CMRO2 between normal group and impaired group revealed that CMRO2 of the impaired group was significantly lower than that of the normal group in the bilateral frontal, temporal, and occipital lobe. After 9.3 months, FIQ scores of 13 subjects were significantly increased. CMRO2 was significantly increased in the bilateral frontal and temporal lobe, as well as in the right occipital lobe, along with the improvement of FIQ score. It was concluded that higher brain dysfunction caused by chronic MTBI was related to malfunction of neuronal networks based on the generalized decrease of brain oxygen metabolism in all brain regions. Damage to neuronal networks in the bilateral frontal and temporal lobe appeared to play the most important role in higher brain dysfunction.

Adolescent↗

[Heat shock protein 70 induction by heat stress suppress interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels in the brain tissue in rats with infectious brain edema].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the brain tissue of rats with infectious brain edema (IBE) and their relationship with heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) by heat stress response (HSR). METHODS: Seventy-two SD rats were randomly divided into normal controls group (NS group), IBE group, and HSP group, each group was divided into three subgroups. The rats in subgroups were killed at 4 hours, 8 hours and 24 hours after the injections of IBE or normal saline respectively. HSP70 in brain tissues were determined by western blot analysis. The concentrations of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in the brain homogenate of rats were determined by enzyme linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The results showed that HSP70 in brain tissues were elevated after heat shock. IBE group and NS group at 4 hours, 8 hours, 24 hours were induced to base levels of HSP70. The concentrations of TNF-alpha were significantly elevated in IBE group than in NS group at the various time points (P<0.01 or P<0.05), especially at 8 hours. The concentrations of IL-1beta were significantly increased in IBE group compared with NS group at 4 hours, 8 hours. HSR reduced the IL-1beta and TNF-alpha concentrations in the brain tissue in compared with IBE group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION: IL-1beta and TNF-alpha are involved in infectious brain edema by IBE. HSP70 against infectious brain edema in rats may be associated with the reduction of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in brain tissue.

Animals↗