Albumin content in brain and CSF after intracarotid infusion of protamine sulfate: a longitudinal study

The endogenous serum albumin content was determined by immunoelectrophoresis in brain and cisternal CSF 1, 24, and 72 h after a transient opening of the blood-brain barrier. Protamine sulfate, 5 mg in 100 microliters 0.9% NaCl, was infused during 30 s into the internal carotid artery via a catheter in the external carotid artery in conscious rats. The albumin content in CSF was 0.08 +/- 0.03 g/liter before protamine infusion and 0.09 +/- 0.02 g/liter in rats infused with saline only. The levels were significantly increased one and 24 h after protamine infusion (0.37 +/- 0.19 and 0.23 +/- 0.09 g/liter, P less than 0.001) but not at 72 h (0.14 +/- 0.05 g/liter). The albumin content in the right (injected) hemisphere decreased with time but was significantly higher than that in the left hemisphere at all times (P less than 0.001 1 and 24 h after protamine; P less than 0.01 at 72 h). There was no correlation between the albumin contents in brain and CSF. Pretreatment with dixyrazine, a phenothiazine derivate, significantly reduced the protamine-induced leakage of endogenous serum albumin into brain and CSF.