Effects of contrast agents on the blood-brain barrier. An electron microscopic study

Radiology. 1975 Jul;116(1):195-8. doi: 10.1148/116.1.195.

Abstract

To determine if contrast agents after the blood-brain barrier by opening tight junctions between endothelial cells and by increasing pinocytosis, the distribution of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was evaluated after intracarotid injections of contrast media. HRP did not cross the endothelium of cerebral blood vessels. Tight junctions remained closed. There was increased endothelial cell pinocytosis and swelling of astrocyte end-feet.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / ultrastructure
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / drug effects*
  • Carotid Arteries / surgery
  • Catheterization
  • Cats
  • Cerebral Arteries / drug effects*
  • Cerebral Arteries / metabolism
  • Cerebral Arteries / ultrastructure
  • Cerebral Ventricles / surgery
  • Choroid Plexus / metabolism
  • Diatrizoate / administration & dosage
  • Diatrizoate / metabolism
  • Diatrizoate / pharmacology*
  • Endothelium / drug effects
  • Endothelium / ultrastructure
  • Extracellular Space / metabolism
  • Infusions, Parenteral
  • Injections, Intra-Arterial
  • Peroxidases / administration & dosage
  • Peroxidases / blood
  • Subarachnoid Space / surgery

Substances

  • Diatrizoate
  • Peroxidases