Penetration of some compounds through blood-brain and blood-testis barriers in chronically hypertensive rats.

Acute hypertension impairs the function of biological barriers, e.g. that of blood-brain barrier. We tested the hypothesis that chronic hypertension might influence the penetration of compounds through blood-brain and blood-testis barriers. With this in mind, the penetration of relatively small radioactive compounds (14C-2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid = 14C-MPA, 14C-sucrose and 14C-antipyrine, 5 microCi/kg intravenously) into the brain, liquor space and testis was compared in male normotensive (Wistar and chronically hypertensive SH rats (11-22 months old). In chronic hypertension after 14C-MCPA and 14C-sucrose administration the penetration of radioactivity into the brain, cerebrospinal fluid and testis had significantly decreased or showed evidence of decrease, while after 14C-antipyrine administration the penetration remained unchanged. Penetration of Evans blue-albumin complex into the brain was studied by giving intravenous injection of Evans blue (5% solution) which is firmly bound to serum albumin. Extravasation of dye-protein complex into the brain showed no difference between Wistar and SH rats. The results suggest that chronic hypertension does not increase the penetration of compounds into the brain and testis but rather, reduces it.