Dynamic Effects of Ioversol on the Permeability of the Blood-Brain Barrier and the Expression of ZO-1/Occludin in Rats.

Abstract

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction is involved in the pathogenesis of contrast-induced encephalopathy (CIE), which is a rare adverse event following angiography. In this study, we observed the dynamic effect and potential mechanism of ioversol on the BBB in rats. Eighty-one healthy rats were randomly divided into a normal control group (n = 9), ioversol group (n = 36), and 0.9% NaCl group (n = 36); the latter two groups were separately subdivided into four groups based on time points after treatment (0.5, 3, 6, and 24h) (n = 9/group). Permeability of the BBB was measured by an Evans Blue (EB) assay. Levels of the tight junction (TJ) proteins ZO-1 and occludin were determined by western blot and immunofluorescence staining. EB content increased at 3h after the administration of ioversol via the carotid artery and reached a peak at 6h (P < 0.05), whereas it decreased to its normal level at 24h. Western blot and immunofluorescence staining indicated that the expression of ZO-1 in brain tissues gradually decreased to its lowest level at 3h, and then increased gradually, but was still lower than that of the normal control group at 24h (P < 0.05). Occludin was similar, but its lowest expression appeared at 0.5h. This study demonstrated that the permeability of BBB in rats increased first and then decreased after ioversol was injected into the carotid artery. The mechanism may be related to altered protein expression of TJs, which are important structures in BBB. Early intervention against TJ proteins may be an effective measure to prevent and treat CIE.