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Elastase given intracisternally opens blood-brain barrier in newborn piglets
P Temesvári1, C S Abrahám, J Gellén
1Department of Pediatrics, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical University, Szeged, Hungary.
Biology of the Neonate
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Elastase increases blood-brain barrier permeability in piglets, evidenced by sodium fluorescein leakage and increased brain uptake. This suggests elastase may contribute to BBB changes during neonatal meningitis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The blood-brain barrier (BBB) protects the central nervous system but can be compromised in conditions like neonatal meningitis.
- Elastase, an enzyme, is implicated in inflammatory processes and tissue degradation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of elastase on blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability in vivo.
- To determine if elastase contributes to BBB dysfunction observed in neonatal meningitis.
Main Methods:
- Intravital fluorescence photomacroscopy with open cranial window technique in newborn piglets.
- Intracisternal injection of porcine elastase or saline (control).
- Measurement of sodium fluorescein extravasation and brain uptake, cerebrospinal fluid analysis for elastase-alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor complex, and blood cell counts.
Main Results:
- Elastase administration led to sodium fluorescein extravasation in pial venules and a twofold increase in brain sodium fluorescein uptake.
- Significant increase in elastase-alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor complex in cerebrospinal fluid of elastase-treated piglets.
- Elastase group showed significant pleocytosis and leukocytosis, indicating inflammation; controls maintained BBB integrity.
Conclusions:
- Porcine elastase significantly increases blood-brain barrier permeability in newborn piglets.
- Elastase may be a contributing factor to BBB disruption during neonatal meningitis.
- Inflammatory markers (pleocytosis, leukocytosis) correlate with BBB changes induced by elastase.