Fatty acids as markers of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier function in man

The blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCB) function in man is derived from the CSF:serum ratio of albumin (QAlb). In order to study other than BCB protein transport we compared CSF:serum ratios of fatty acids in patients revealing normal and increased QAlb values. Ratios of unsaturated fatty acids, which are involved in inflammation, increased significantly in patients with increased QAlb (p < 0.005). In contrast, CSF:serum ratios of saturated fatty acids increased only slightly. We conclude that characterisation of BCB lipid properties may be of particular interest regarding drug penetration into the CSF and lipid metabolism in inflammation.