Abstract

The central nervous system (CNS) is the only organ system of the body which lacks its own waste clearance or lymphatic system, a system which helps in removal of metabolic byproducts and waste solutes. Although the brain plays its role in 25% metabolism of body and comprises only 2% of the total body mass, this high metabolic load needs a proficient system for the removal of waste solutes and for maintaining homeostasis of brain environment. Well-depicted components of waste removal comprise of perivascular fluid flow and phagocytic immune cell functions, nonetheless, the requirement for dynamic clearance of waste from the brain is getting progressively valued. Latest improvements in lymphatic vascular biology confront the recommendation that the brain deficits lymphatic removal system or an equivalent. In this review article, a recently discovered waste removal system, the glymphatic system and its functioning is discussed, keeping in view the experimental studies performed on rodents. The glymphatic system is peri-vascular network dependent of glial cells that serves as a pseudo-lymphatic system in the brain. In the pathway of glymphatic system, cerebrospinal fluid gains entry into brain by means of peri-arterial spaces, moves into the interstitial spaces through perivascular astrocytes and aquaporin-4 channels, and afterwards pushes the peri-venous waste of interstitial fluid (ISF) and its solutes into lymphatic vessels which eventually moves into systemic circulation. This system plays significant role individually and also in combination with authentic lymphatic system in drainage and getting clearance of wastes from the brain.

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