title: On the composition and characteristics of microvessels isolated from the rabbit and bovine brain.
abstract: Brain capillaries (microvessels) were isolated from the rabbit and bovine brain. Extensive morphological examinations were performed at the light and electron microscopical levels. The relative contribution of endothelium (52%), basal membrane (32%) and pericytes (16%) to the composition of the microvessel was assessed. The ability of the endothelium from bovine brains to maintain a membrane potential, i.e. to accumulate the lipophilic cation [3H]TPMP, was shown. The transmitter catabolizing enzymes MAO and AchE were shown to be, and COMT and GABA-T not to be associated with the microvessel fraction isolated from rabbits.
mesh_terms: D000612:4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply*; D002196:Capillaries / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D002417:Cattle; D004727:Endothelium / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007700:Kinetics; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D009861:Onium Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D014320:Triphenylmethyl Compounds / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D009861:Onium Compounds; D014320:Triphenylmethyl Compounds; C011561:triphenylmethylphosphonium; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase; D000612:4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase