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Assessment of Blood-brain Barrier Permeability by Intravenous Infusion of FITC-labeled Albumin in a Mouse Model of Neurodegenerative Disease
Published on: November 8, 2017
Albumin microvascular leakage in brains with diabetes mellitus
Ryuji Fujihara1,2, Yoichi Chiba1, Toshitaka Nakagawa3
1Department of Pathology and Host Defense, , Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kagawa, 761-0793, Japan.
Abstract:
Their aim was to examine whether microvascular leakage of endogenous albumin, a representative marker for blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage, was induced in the periventricular area of diabetic db/db mice because periventricular white matter hyperintensity formation in magnetic resonance images was accelerating in elderly patients with diabetes mellitus. Using light and electron microscopes, and semi-quantitative analysis techniques, immunoreactivity of endogenous albumin, indicating vascular permeability, was examined in the periventricular area and spinal cord of db/db mice and db/+m control mice. Greater immunoreactivity of albumin was observed in the vessel wall of the periventricular area of db/db mice than in controls. Additionally, weak immunoreactivity was observed in the spinal cord of both db/db mice and controls. The number of gold particles, indicating immunoreactivity of albumin, in the perivascular area of db/db mice was significantly higher than that of control mice, but there was no significant difference in the number of particles in the spinal cord between db/db mice and controls. These findings suggest that albumin microvascular leakage, or BBB breakdown, is induced in the periventricular area of diabetic mice. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:833-837, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Insights
Diabetic db/db mice show increased albumin leakage in the periventricular area, indicating blood-brain barrier damage. This microvascular leakage suggests a potential mechanism for white matter changes observed in diabetic patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Vascular Biology
- Diabetes Research
Background:
- Periventricular white matter hyperintensity is accelerated in elderly patients with diabetes mellitus.
- The blood-brain barrier (BBB) protects the brain from harmful substances.
- Albumin leakage is a marker of BBB damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate microvascular leakage of albumin in the periventricular area of diabetic db/db mice.
- To determine if diabetes induces blood-brain barrier breakdown in this specific brain region.
Main Methods:
- Utilized light and electron microscopy with semi-quantitative analysis.
- Examined immunoreactivity of endogenous albumin in the periventricular area and spinal cord.
- Compared diabetic db/db mice with db/+m control mice.
Main Results:
- Significantly greater albumin immunoreactivity was found in the periventricular vessels of db/db mice compared to controls.
- Albumin leakage was predominantly observed in the periventricular area, not the spinal cord.
- The number of albumin particles in the perivascular area was significantly higher in diabetic mice.
Conclusions:
- Microvascular leakage of albumin, indicative of blood-brain barrier breakdown, occurs in the periventricular area of diabetic mice.
- These findings link diabetes to BBB damage in a specific brain region.
- The study provides evidence for a potential mechanism underlying white matter changes in diabetes.
