Effects of dopaminergic and adrenergic blockade on amphetamine-induced extravasation of protein into the brain of normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats

The effects of pentobarbital on blood-brain barrier disruption caused by intracarotid injection of hyperosmolar mannitol in rats

This study was performed to evaluate both the effects of pentobarbital on disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) by hyperosmolar mannitol and the relationship between its effect on blood pressure and the integrity of the BBB. Under isoflurane anesthesia, rats in the control group were infused with 25% mannitol into the internal carotid artery before measuring the transfer coefficient (Ki) of 14C alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. Ten minutes before the administration of mannitol, rats received an infusion of pentobarbital: 20 mg/kg in the small-dose group and 50 mg/kg in the large-dose group. In another group of animals (hydralazine group), hydralazine was administered to maintain the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) at 65 mm Hg during the experimental period. The MAP of the control group (113 +/- 14 mm Hg) was significantly higher (P < 0.002) than that of the small-dose pentobarbital group (78 +/- 13 mm Hg) or the large-dose pentobarbital group (68 +/- 14 mm Hg). In the control group, the Ki of the cortex ipsilateral to the mannitol injection was increased to 4.5 times that of the contralateral cortex (14.5 +/- 7.7 vs 3.2 +/- 0.6 microL x g(-1) x min(-1); P < 0.002). The Ki of the ipsilateral cortex of the small-dose pentobarbital group was 9.7 +/- 5.6 microL x g(-1) x min(-1). The Ki of the ipsilateral cortex of the large-dose pentobarbital group was 5.5 +/- 2.9 microL x g(-1) x min(-1), and lower (-9.0 microL x g(-1) x min(-1)) than that of the control animals (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the Ki of the contralateral cortex among any of the three groups of animals. At the same MAP, the Ki of the ipsilateral cortex of the large-dose pentobarbital group was lower (-4.3 microL x g(-1) x min(-1)) than that of the hydralazine group (9.8 +/- 4.6 microL x g(-1) x min(-1)) (P < 0.05). Pentobarbital attenuated the BBB disruption induced by hyperosmolar mannitol. This may be attributed, at least in part, to the blood pressure effect of pentobarbital.

IMPLICATIONS

When the blood-brain barrier (BBB) was disrupted by a hyperosmolar solution, pentobarbital attenuated the degree of leakage of the BBB. Systemic hypotension caused by pentobarbital played a significant role in decreasing the leakage. Our study suggests that when the BBB is disrupted, pentobarbital may be effective in protecting the BBB. Furthermore, systemic blood pressure plays an important role in determining the degree of disruption.

Arecoline, but not haloperidol, induces changes in the permeability of the blood-brain barrier in the rat

The aim of the present study was to investigate the existence of alterations of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability in rats injected with centrally acting drugs, by calculating a unidirectional blood-to-brain transfer constant (Ki) for the circulating tracer [14C]-alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. The intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of the dopaminergic antagonist haloperidol (1 mg kg-1) did not modify the regional BBB permeability. When the cholinomimetic agent arecoline hydrobromide (6.25 mg kg-1) was injected i.p. into methylatropine-pretreated rats, it induced a significant decrease of Ki values within the frontal cortex, parietal cortex, striatum and brain-stem. Our findings emphasize two concepts: (1) centrally acting drugs, such as arecoline, can induce changes in the BBB permeability, through several mechanisms; (2) there is no predictable correlation of drug stimulation of specific brain neuronal pathways and changes in the permeability of the BBB.

The neuroleptic activity of haloperidol increases after its solubilization in surfactant micelles. Micelles as microcontainers for drug targeting

It has been suggested to use surfactant micelles as microcontainers for increasing the efficiency of neuroleptic targeting from blood flow into the brain. The neuroleptic action of haloperidol, intraperitoneally injected into mice in micellar solution of non-ionic block copolymer surfactant (pluronic P-85) in water, increased several-fold if compared with that observed for haloperidol aqueous solution. Incorporation of brain-specific antibodies into haloperidol-containing micelles resulted in additional drastic increase (more than by 2 orders of magnitude) in the drug effect.

Responses of cerebral circulation produced by adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists in rats

The effects of intravenous administration of adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists on relative cerebral blood flow, cerebral perfusion pressure, intracranial pressure, mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were assessed in rats under urethane anesthesia. Administration of phenylephrine (a preferential alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist), adrenaline (a mixed alpha/beta-adrenoceptor agonist), noradrenaline (a mixed alpha/beta-adrenoceptor agonist) raised mean arterial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure, but lowered heart rate. On the other hand, administration of isoproterenol (a beta-adrenoceptor agonist), phentolamine (an alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist) or propranolol (a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist) lowered mean arterial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure or cerebral blood flow. In addition, phentolamine raised both intracranial pressure and heart rate, whereas propranolol lowered both intracranial pressure and heart rate. However, isoproterenol produced a decrease in heart rate, without affecting intracranial pressure. There was no significant difference between the groups of animals for PCO2, PO2 or pH throughout the studies. The results suggest that adrenoceptor agonists or antagonists act through breakthrough of autoregulation, with acute hypertension or hypotension, to enhance or to reduce cerebral blood flow in rats.

Blockade of histamine-stimulated alterations in cerebrovascular permeability by the H2-receptor antagonist cimetidine

Histamine has been shown previously to cause dose-dependent systemic hypotension and concurrent alterations in the permeability of the blood-brain barrier of rats. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether histamine-induced changes in cerebrovascular permeability were mediated by the histamine H2-receptor. Wistar-Kyoto (control) and spontaneously hypertensive rats were pretreated with the histamine H2-receptor antagonist cimetidine (10 mg/kg), followed by saline or histamine (1.25, 2.5 or 5.0 micrograms/kg). Premedication with cimetidine did not block histamine-induced systemic hypotension. The permeability of the blood-brain barrier was measured with 131I-labelled serum albumin (RISA) or with 99mTc-sodium pertechnetate (TcO4-). In both control and spontaneously hypertensive animals, cimetidine prevented histamine-induced changes in the permeability of the blood-brain barrier to either tracer. These findings suggest that the H2-receptor is the prime mediator of histamine-stimulated alterations in cerebrovascular permeability.

Adrenergic-induced enhancement of brain barrier system permeability to small nonelectrolytes: choroid plexus versus cerebral capillaries

Acute hypertension induced by adrenergic agents opens up the blood-CSF barrier (choroid plexus) to nonelectrolyte and protein tracers. Sprague-Dawley adult rats anesthetized with ketamine were given an intravenous bolus of either epinephrine (10 micrograms/kg), phenylephrine (100 micrograms/kg), isoproterenol (10 micrograms/kg), or D,L-amphetamine (2 mg/kg). Tracers were injected simultaneously with test agents, and the animals killed 10 min later. Epinephrine raised MABP by 57 mm Hg, to a peak pressure of 160 mm Hg; and it increased the volume of distribution (Vd) of urea, mannitol, and 125I-bovine serum albumin in CSF by 1.5-, 2.7-, and 30-fold, respectively. There was enhanced uptake by lateral and fourth ventricle choroid plexuses, cerebral cortex, cerebellum, medulla, and thalamus. Phenylephrine also elevated MABP to 160 mm Hg, but it increased permeation of tracers into CSF (and several brain regions) to a lesser extent than epinephrine, attributable to protective vasoconstriction associated with alpha-agonist activity. Ratio analysis of Vd data provides evidence that augmented permeation of nonelectrolyte tracers in acute hypertension occurs predominantly by diffusion rather than vesicular transport. It is postulated that elevated MABP distends the central cores of choroid plexus villi and cerebral capillaries, with resultant stretching and opening of tight junctions in both barrier systems; with less hindrance to diffusion, urea and mannitol are cleared at rates closer to free diffusion. Neither isoproterenol (decreased MABP by 40 mm Hg) nor amphetamine (did not alter MABP) significantly opened the choroid plexus or blood-brain barrier to tracers.

Age-associated changes in the effects of amphetamine on the blood-brain barrier of rats

The effects of varying doses of amphetamine on the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to albumin were studied in young and aged Fischer 344 rats. There was no change in the permeability of the BBB associated with aging as revealed by saline-treated control experiments. The changes in the permeability of the BBB did not correlate with the changes in blood pressure produced by corresponding doses of amphetamine in the young or aged animals. In the dose range reported the young and aged rats showed similar pressor responses to amphetamine. The aged rats showed a greater increase in the permeability of the BBB than the young, and this effect was seen with a lower dose of amphetamine in the aged rats. At the highest doses tested the permeability was restored to control levels in both the young and the aged rats. The enhanced vulnerability of the BBB of the aged rats may be related to a deterioration of the noradrenergic control of cerebrovascular permeability.

Selective effects of alpha-MSH and MIF-1 on the blood-brain barrier

The effects of intravenously-injected alpha-MSH and MIF-1 (Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2) on the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to a large protein and a small anion were studied using radioiodinated serum albumin (RISA) and 99mTc-labeled sodium pertechnetate. The permeability of the BBB to RISA was unaltered by either peptide. Permeability to the inorganic pertechnetate anion, however, was significantly increased by alpha-MSH but not by MIF-1 at doses known to evoke EEG and behavioral responses. The peptides did not cause a change in the systemic blood pressure. It is possible, therefore, that at least some CNS effects of peripherally administered peptides are exerted by alteration of the permeability of the BBB to other substances.