ALBUMIN CONTENT IN BRAIN AND CSF AFTER INTRACAROTID INFUSION OF PROTAMINE SULFATE - A LONGITUDINAL-STUDY

The endogenous serum albumin content was determined by immunoelectrophoresis in brain and cisternal CSF 1, 24, and 72 h after a transient opening of the blood-brain barrier. Protamine sulfate, 5 mg in 100 μl 0.9% NaCl, was infused during 30 s into the internal carotid artery via a catheter in the external carotid artery in conscious rats. The albumin content in CSF was 0.08 ± 0.03 g/liter before protamine infusion and 0.09 ± 0.02 g/liter in rats infused with saline only. The levels were significantly increased one and 24 h after protamine infusion (0.37 ± 0.19 and 0.23 ± 0.09 g/liter, P < 0.001) but not at 72 h (0.14 ± 0.05 g/liter). The albumin content in the right (injected) hemisphere decreased with time but was significantly higher than that in the left hemisphere at all times (P < 0.001 1 and 24 h after protamine; P < 0.01 at 72 h). There was no correlation between the albumin contents in brain and CSF. Pretreatment with dixyrazine, a phenothiazine derivate, significantly reduced the protamine-induced leakage of endogenous serum albumin into brain and CSF. © 1990.