title: A new method for measuring blood-brain barrier permeability demonstrated with Europium-bound albumin during experimental lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced meningitis in the rat.
abstract: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a critical extrameningeal site of injury during bacterial meningitis, manifested by enhanced BBB permeability (BBBP). Previous methods to measure altered BBBP during meningitis involve radioactive materials, or are poorly quantified. Europium (EU) is a fluorescent, non-radioactive metal that is a sensitive and stable marker. Europium fluorescence can be measured with a spectrophotometer capable of time-resolved fluorescence (TRF). We used EU-albumin (EU-A) to examine BBBP in experimental lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced meningitis. The results presented here introduce a simple and accurate method for measuring BBB permeability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
authors.forename: N Scott
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Ivey
authors.forename: Edward N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: W Michael
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Scheld
authors.forename: Barnett R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Nathan
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005063:Europium / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000737:chemistry; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008581:Meningitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D005063:Europium