| First Author | Rhodehouse BC | Year | 2013 |
| Journal | PLoS One | Volume | 8 |
| Issue | 5 | Pages | e63951 |
| PubMed ID | 23696861 | Mgi Jnum | J:200849 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:5509416 | Doi | 10.1371/journal.pone.0063951 |
| Citation | Rhodehouse BC, et al. (2013) Opening of the blood-brain barrier before cerebral pathology in mild hyperhomocysteinemia. PLoS One 8(5):e63951 |
| abstractText | Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is a risk factor for cognitive impairment. The purpose of this study was to determine the temporal pattern of cerebral pathology in a mouse model of mild HHcy, because understanding this time course provides the basis for understanding the mechanisms involved. C57Bl/6 mice with heterozygous deletion cystathionine beta-synthase (cbs (+/-); Het) were used as a model of mild HHcy along with their wild-type littermates (cbs (+/+); WT). Mice were 'young' (5.3+/-0.2 months of age) and 'old' (16.6+/-0.9 months of age). Blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability was quantified from Evans blue and sodium fluorescein extravasation. Microvascular architecture was assessed by z-stack confocal microscopy. Leukoaraiosis was measured from Luxol fast blue stained slides of paraffin brain sections. Inflammation was quantified using standard antibody-based immunohistochemical techniques. Cognitive function was assessed using the Morris water maze. BBB permeability was significantly greater in Het vs. WT mice at all ages (p<0.05). There were no differences in microvascular architecture among the groups. Compared with all other groups, old Het mice had significantly greater leukoaraiosis, inflammation in the fornix, and cognitive impairment (p<0.05). In mild HHcy, increased permeability of the BBB precedes the onset of cerebral pathology. This new paradigm may play a role in the progression of disease in HHcy. |
