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Isolation of Cerebral Capillaries from Fresh Human Brain Tissue
06:35

Isolation of Cerebral Capillaries from Fresh Human Brain Tissue

Published on: September 12, 2018

Capillary NMDA receptors regulate blood-brain barrier function and breakdown

H Koenig1, J J Trout, A D Goldstone

  • 1Neurology Service, VA Lakeside Medical Center, Chicago IL 60611.

Brain Research
|August 21, 1992
PubMed

Insights

NMDA receptors and polyamines contribute to blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown after injury. Blocking NMDA receptors with MK-801 prevents BBB disruption, suggesting a key role for these receptors in BBB regulation.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Polyamines and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) are linked to blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption after cryogenic injury.
  • MK-801, an NMDA receptor antagonist, prevents ODC activation and BBB breakdown, suggesting NMDA receptor involvement.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of NMDA receptors in regulating BBB function and nutrient transport.
  • To explore the link between NMDA receptors, ODC, polyamines, and calcium influx in cerebral capillaries.

Main Methods:

  • Studies were conducted on isolated rat cerebral capillaries.
  • NMDA receptor activation was used to stimulate capillary uptake of horseradish peroxidase, 2-deoxy-[14C]glucose, and 45Ca.

Main Results:

  • NMDA stimulation increased capillary uptake in a receptor-, concentration-, polyamine-, and Ca(2+)-dependent manner.
  • These findings support the presence of NMDA receptors linked to ODC in cerebral capillaries.

Conclusions:

  • NMDA receptors may couple nutrient transport to glutamate-mediated neuronal excitation.
  • Overstimulation of NMDA receptors can disrupt normal blood-brain barrier function.

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