Effect of anticholinesterase compound phosalone on blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability

To elucidate the role of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme in BBB function, phosalone, an organophosphorous compound, was studied using rat brain micro vessels in vitro. Phosalone at 100 mg/kg b. wt. induced convulsions and caused a significant inhibition of AChE resulting in increased permeability as assessed by volume distribution. The anaesthetized phosalone treated group also increased permeability as compared to the control but the values were significantly (P<0.05) lower than phosalone alone treated group. The inhibition of AChE enzyme has altered the barrier function at the dose level at which it caused convulsion and had an added effect on permeability of BBB.