Quantification of Blood-Brain Barrier Solute Permeability and Brain Transport by Multiphoton Microscopy

2014 ◽  
Vol 136 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingyan Shi ◽  
Min Zeng ◽  
Yi Sun ◽  
Bingmei M. Fu

Development of an optimal systemic drug delivery strategy to the brain will require noninvasive or minimally invasive methods to quantify the permeability of the cerebral microvessel wall or blood-brain barrier (BBB) to various therapeutic agents and to measure their transport in the brain tissue. To address this problem, we used laser-scanning multiphoton microscopy to determine BBB permeability to solutes (P) and effective solute diffusion coefficients (Deff) in rat brain tissue 100–250 μm below the pia mater. The cerebral microcirculation was observed through a section of frontoparietal bone thinned with a microgrinder. Sodium fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextrans, or Alexa Fluor 488-immunoglobulin G (IgG) in 1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) mammalian Ringer's solution was injected into the cerebral circulation via the ipsilateral carotid artery by a syringe pump at a constant rate of ∼3 ml/min. P and Deff were determined from the rate of tissue solute accumulation and the radial concentration gradient around individual microvessels in the brain tissue. The mean apparent permeability P values for sodium fluorescein (molecular weight (MW) 376 Da), dextran-4k, -20k, -40k, -70k, and IgG (MW ∼160 kDa) were 14.6, 6.2, 1.8, 1.4, 1.3, and 0.54 × 10−7 cm/s, respectively. These P values were not significantly different from those of rat pial microvessels for the same-sized solutes (Yuan et al., 2009, “Non-Invasive Measurement of Solute Permeability in Cerebral Microvessels of the Rat,” Microvasc. Res., 77(2), pp. 166–73), except for the small solute sodium fluorescein, suggesting that pial microvessels can be a good model for studying BBB transport of relatively large solutes. The mean Deff values were 33.2, 4.4, 1.3, 0.89, 0.59, and 0.47 × 10−7 cm2/s, respectively, for sodium fluorescein, dextran-4k, -20k, -40k, -70k, and IgG. The corresponding mean ratio of Deff to the free diffusion coefficient Dfree, Deff/Dfree, were 0.46, 0.19, 0.12, 0.12, 0.11, and 0.11 for these solutes. While there is a significant difference in Deff/Dfree between small (e.g., sodium fluorescein) and larger solutes, there is no significant difference in Deff/Dfree between solutes with molecular weights from 20,000 to 160,000 Da, suggesting that the relative resistance of the brain tissue to macromolecular solutes is similar over a wide size range. The quantitative transport parameters measured from this study can be used to develop better strategies for brain drug delivery.

2014 ◽  
pp. S529-S534 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. KOZLER ◽  
V. RILJAK ◽  
K. JANDOVÁ ◽  
J. POKORNÝ

In our previous experiments we demonstrated that osmotic opening of the blood brain barrier (BBB) in rats by administration of mannitol into the internal carotid artery leads to cerebral edema. The aim of this study was to confirm objectively the development of brain edema and determine whether it affects spontaneous locomotor activity in rats (SLA). Brain edema was verified by computer tomography (CT) examination of the brain and SLA was observed during open field test. Twenty four adult male rats were divided into four groups of six: (1) control animals (C), (2) controls with anesthesia (CA), (3) controls with sham surgery (CS), (4) experimental – osmotic opening of the BBB (MA). Osmotic BBB disruption manifested by reducing the density of brain tissue (hypodensity), suggesting a higher water content in the brain tissue. SLA was compared between C, CA, CS and MA groups and between MA and CA groups. Significant difference was found only between the control group and MA group. In the first 30 min of the examination, rats after the mannitol administration revealed a marked limitation of spontaneous locomotor activity. Experimental results demonstrated reduction of spontaneous locomotor activity in rats with induced brain edema.


Author(s):  
Matheus Vinícius de Souza Carneiro ◽  
Ricardo de Queiroz Freitas ◽  
Lucas Baltar Rodrigues ◽  
Wenberger Lanza Daniel de Figueiredo ◽  
Geane Antiques Lourenço ◽  
...  

Aims: By using histological analysis, the study aims to evaluate the effect of a nutraceutical based on the Amazonian fruits of camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) Mc Vaugh), acai (Euterpe precatoria Mart.) and guarana (Paullinia cupana) on the brain tissue (hippocampus) of dyslipidemic rats. Methodology: Preclinical trials were conducted using male and female rats (n=30) of the Wistar strain (Rattus norvegicus) that were randomly divided into five groups (G) (n=6). G1 was control, G2 was induced to obesity with consumption of experimental feed (hypercaloric and hyperlipidic), G3 was induced to obesity with consumption of experimental feed and treated with simvastatin (50 mg/kg/day), and G4 and G5, which were induced to obesity with the consumption of experimental feed and supplemented with 100 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day of the formulation, respectively. The study period was 72 days, and, for 37 days, induction to obesity was performed with the experimental feed (hypercaloric and hyperlipidic). During the following weeks, for 35 days, after division of the groups, certain groups received, in parallel, treatment with simvastatin (G3) or supplementation with the nutraceutical (G4 and G5). Subsequently, histological slides of the brain tissue stained with violet cresyl were elaborated, photographed and analyzed. Results: No significant differences were observed between the mean of intact neurons among the experimental groups induced to obesity. The neurotoxic effect, evidenced by the significant difference between the mean of intact neurons between the control group and obesity-induced groups, corroborates the findings of neuronal damage and degenerative processes reported in the literature. Conclusion: The nutraceutical based on Amazonian fruits was not able to prevent the neurotoxic effect arising from the hyperlipidic and hypercaloric diet, and therefore did not present a neuroprotective effect in Wistar rats under the conditions established in the experiment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 663-675
Author(s):  
Rajesh Kumar ◽  
Monica Gulati ◽  
Sachin Kumar Singh ◽  
Deepika Sharma ◽  
Omji Porwal

: Vulnerability of the brain milieu to even the subtle changes in its normal physiology is guarded by a highly efficient blood brain barrier. A number of factors i.e. molecular weight of the drug, its route of administration, lipophilic character etc. play a significant role in its sojourn through the blood brain barrier (BBB) and limit the movement of drug into brain tissue through BBB. To overcome these problems, alternative routes of drug administration have been explored to target the drugs to brain tissue. Nasal route has been widely reported for the administration of drugs for treatment of Alzheimer. In this innovative approach, the challenge of BBB is bypassed. Through this route, both the larger as well as polar molecules can be made to reach the brain tissues. Generally, these systems are either pH dependent or temperature dependent. Results: The present review highlights the anatomy of nose, mechanisms of drug delivery from nose to brain, critical factors in the formulation of nasal drug delivery system, nasal formulations of various drugs that have been tried for their nasal delivery for treatment of Alzheimer. Conclusion: It also dives deep to understand the factors that contribute to the success of such formulations to carve out a direction for this niche area to be explored further.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (37) ◽  
pp. 4721-4737 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhumika Kumar ◽  
Mukesh Pandey ◽  
Faheem H. Pottoo ◽  
Faizana Fayaz ◽  
Anjali Sharma ◽  
...  

Parkinson’s disease is one of the most severe progressive neurodegenerative disorders, having a mortifying effect on the health of millions of people around the globe. The neural cells producing dopamine in the substantia nigra of the brain die out. This leads to symptoms like hypokinesia, rigidity, bradykinesia, and rest tremor. Parkinsonism cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be reduced with the intervention of medicinal drugs, surgical treatments, and physical therapies. Delivering drugs to the brain for treating Parkinson’s disease is very challenging. The blood-brain barrier acts as a highly selective semi-permeable barrier, which refrains the drug from reaching the brain. Conventional drug delivery systems used for Parkinson’s disease do not readily cross the blood barrier and further lead to several side-effects. Recent advancements in drug delivery technologies have facilitated drug delivery to the brain without flooding the bloodstream and by directly targeting the neurons. In the era of Nanotherapeutics, liposomes are an efficient drug delivery option for brain targeting. Liposomes facilitate the passage of drugs across the blood-brain barrier, enhances the efficacy of the drugs, and minimize the side effects related to it. The review aims at providing a broad updated view of the liposomes, which can be used for targeting Parkinson’s disease.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (13) ◽  
pp. 1448-1465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jozef Hanes ◽  
Eva Dobakova ◽  
Petra Majerova

Tauopathies are neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the deposition of abnormal tau protein in the brain. The application of potentially effective therapeutics for their successful treatment is hampered by the presence of a naturally occurring brain protection layer called the blood-brain barrier (BBB). BBB represents one of the biggest challenges in the development of therapeutics for central nervous system (CNS) disorders, where sufficient BBB penetration is inevitable. BBB is a heavily restricting barrier regulating the movement of molecules, ions, and cells between the blood and the CNS to secure proper neuronal function and protect the CNS from dangerous substances and processes. Yet, these natural functions possessed by BBB represent a great hurdle for brain drug delivery. This review is concentrated on summarizing the available methods and approaches for effective therapeutics’ delivery through the BBB to treat neurodegenerative disorders with a focus on tauopathies. It describes the traditional approaches but also new nanotechnology strategies emerging with advanced medical techniques. Their limitations and benefits are discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii28-ii28
Author(s):  
S Weil ◽  
E Jung ◽  
D Domínguez Azorín ◽  
J Higgins ◽  
J Reckless ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Glioblastomas are notoriously therapy resistant tumors. As opposed to other tumor entities, no major advances in therapeutic success have been made in the past decades. This has been calling for a deeper biological understanding of the tumor, its growth and resistance patterns. We have been using a xenograft glioma model, where human glioblastoma cells are implanted under chronic cranial windows and studied longitudinally over many weeks and months using multi photon laser scanning microscopy (MPLSM). To test the effect of (new) drugs, a stable and direct delivery system avoiding the blood-brain-barrier has come into our interest. MATERIAL AND METHODS We implanted cranial windows and fluorescently labeled human glioblastoma stem-like cells into NMRI nude mice to follow up on the tumor development in our MPLSM model. After tumor establishment, an Alzet® micropump was implanted to directly deliver agents via a catheter system continuously over 28 days directly under the cranial window onto the brain surface. Using the MPLSM technique, the continuous delivery and infusion of drugs onto the brain and into the tumor was measured over many weeks in detail using MPLSM. RESULTS The establishment of the combined methods allowed reliable concurrent drug delivery over 28 days bypassing the blood-brain-barrier. Individual regions and tumor cells could be measured and followed up before, and after the beginning of the treatment, as well as after the end of the pump activity. Fluorescently labelled drugs were detectable in the MPLSM and its distribution into the brain parenchyma could be quantified. After the end of the micropump activity, further MPLSM measurements offer the possibility to observe long term effects of the applied drug on the tumor. CONCLUSION The combination of tumor observation in the MPSLM and concurrent continuous drug delivery is a feasible and reliable method for the investigation of (novel) anti-tumor agents, especially drugs that are not blood-brain-barrier penetrant. Morphological or even functional changes of individual tumor cells can be measured under and after treatment. These techniques can be used to test new drugs targeting the tumor, its tumor microtubes and tumor cells networks, and measure the effects longitudinally.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dhara Lakdawala ◽  
Md Abdur Rashid ◽  
Farhan Jalees Ahmad

: Drug delivery to the brain has remained a significant challenge in treating neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier, which primarily obstructs the access of drugs and biomolecules into the brain. Several methods to overcome the blood-brain barrier have been employed, such as chemical disruption, surgical intervention, focused ultrasound, intranasal delivery and using nanocarriers. Nanocarrier systems remain the method of choice and have shown promising results over the past decade to achieve better drug targeting. Polymeric nanocarriers and lipidic nanoparticles act as a carrier system providing better encapsulation of drugs, site-specific delivery, increased bioavailability and sustained release of drugs. The surface modifications and functionalization of these nanocarrier systems have greatly facilitated targeted drug delivery. The safety and efficacy of these nanocarrier systems have been ascertained by several in vitro and in vivo models. In the present review, we have elaborated on recent developments of nanoparticles as a drug delivery system for Alzheimer's disease, explicitly focusing on polymeric and lipidic nanoparticles.


1999 ◽  
Vol 277 (5) ◽  
pp. E901-E904 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abba J. Kastin ◽  
Victoria Akerstrom

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) is a new anorectic peptide found in the brain and periphery. It is closely associated with leptin, an anorectic agent saturably transported across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Using multiple time-regression analysis, we found that CART has a rapid rate of entry into brain from blood. However, there was no self-inhibition with CART, even when perfused in blood-free buffer or in fasted mice, showing a lack of saturation. HPLC showed that at least 58% of the injected CART reached brain tissue in intact form, and capillary depletion with and without washout showed that the CART was not bound to endothelial cells or adherent to vascular components. There was no evidence for an efflux system out of the brain for CART. Thus CART can cross the BBB from blood to brain, but its rapid rate of entry is not inhibited by excess CART or leptin.


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