Bile acids permeabilize the blood brain barrier after bile duct ligation in rats via Rac1-dependent mechanisms.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The blood brain barrier tightly regulates the passage of molecules into the brain and becomes leaky following obstructive cholestasis. The aim of this study was to determine if increased serum bile acids observed during cholestasis permeabilize the blood brain barrier.

Methods

Rats underwent bile duct ligation or deoxycholic or chenodeoxycholic acid injections and blood brain barrier permeability assessed. In vitro, the permeability of rat brain microvessel endothelial cell monolayers, the expression and phosphorylation of occludin, ZO-1 and ZO-2 as well as the activity of Rac1 was assessed after treatment with plasma from cholestatic rats, or bile acid treatment, in the presence of a Rac1 inhibitor.

Results

Blood brain barrier permeability was increased in

SUBMITTER: Quinn M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4065628 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature