title: Is viscosity important in the production of blood-brain barrier disruption by intracarotid contrast media?
abstract: A canine model was used to investigate the effects of intracarotid methylglucamine iothalamate (280 mgI/ml) at different viscosities on the normal blood-brain barrier. To alter viscosity, without changing physiochemical parameters, injections were made at either 23 degrees C or 37 degrees C. The degree of blood-brain barrier damage was assessed using Evans' Blue dye as a visual marker and by contrast enhancement measured by a computed tomographic (CT) scanner. It was found that methylglucamine iothalamate caused more blood-brain barrier damage at 23 degrees C than at 37 degrees C (p less than 0.1). Control studies at each temperature using intracarotid injections of physiological saline showed no temperature effect (p greater than 0.1). The implications of these findings are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000187:drug effects*; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000187:drug effects; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007482:Iothalamate Meglumine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D013696:Temperature; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D007482:Iothalamate Meglumine