[Administration of procyanidolic oligomers in rats. Observed effects on changes in the permeability of the blood-brain barrier].

Cerebral microvessel permeability disturbances following rapid injection of autologous blood into the carotid artery are evidenced in cross sections of the rat brain by extravascular dye leakage. Here, Evans blue was injected intravenously 2 hours after the blood injection and 30 minutes before sacrificing the animals. Five groups of 10 rats each were given Procyanidolic Oligomers (PCO) in respective doses of 10, 30 and 300 mg/kg by oral route and 10 and 30 mg/kg by intraperitoneal route. Three PCO doses were administered prior to blood injection, on D-2, D-1 and DO. At oral doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg, the blue color in the injected hemisphere was significantly less intense than in the untreated group. When administered intraperitoneally, PCO showed a preventive effect on both the degree and extent of lesions. The following mechanism of action of PCO has been put forward in this experimental model: these compounds may increase the resistance of the tight junctions of arteriolar capillaries, thus interfering with the sudden rise in pressure at the time of blood injection.