Abstract
In this investigation, the effects of hypoglycemic coma and alcoholic coma on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability have been compared. Female adult Wistar albino rats weighing 180-230 g were divided into three groups: Control group (n=8), Alcoholic Coma Group (n=18), and Hypoglycemic Coma group (n=12). The animals went into coma approximately 3-4 hours after insulin administration and 3-5 minutes after alcohol administration. Evans blue (4mL/kg) was injected intravenously as BBB tracer. It was observed that the alcoholic coma did not significantly increase the BBB permeability in any of the brain regions when compared to control group. Changes in BBB permeability were significantly increased by the hypoglycemic coma in comparison to the control group values (p<0.01). Our findings suggest that hypoglycemic and alcoholic coma have different effects on the BBB permeability depending on the energy metabolism.
Highlights
Brain tissue is protected by blood-brain barrier (BBB)
Our findings suggest that hypoglycemic and alcoholic coma have different effects on the BBB permeability depending on the energy metabolism
While some studies have shown that acute administrations of alcohol increased the BBB permeability, others have suggested that it had no effect [ - ]
Summary
Brain tissue is protected by blood-brain barrier (BBB) It is a specialized structure consisting of endothelial cells and tight junctions between them, a continuous basal lamina which surrounds these cells. It has been suggested that both acute and chronic administrations of alcohol have disruptive effects on many structures and their functions including the cerebral capillary endothelial cells of the central nervous system [ - ]. While some studies have shown that acute administrations of alcohol increased the BBB permeability, others have suggested that it had no effect [ - ]. There are gender related differences in the central nervous system, and acute and chronic administration of alcohol appears to affect the female brain much more than that of male [ , ]. We have comparatively investigated the effects of hypoglycemic coma and alcoholic coma on BBB permeability in the female rats
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