Summary
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1.
We studied the decrease in brain uptake of two substances, inulin and sucrose, during maturation of the brain. Concentration ratios of CSF/plasma and brain/plasma for 14C-labeled inulin and sucrose were calculated and time-uptake curves plotted for prenatal and postnatal rats. Comparisons of these ratios among the various ages showed a progressive decrease in the inulin ratios of both compartments with increasing age. Sucrose “spaces” were always larger than inulin “spaces,” suggesting possible sucrose penetration into cells. The brain/CSF concentration ratio for inulin, however, appears to reflect brain extracellular space in young rats, but not in older animals. Electrolyte concentration ratios of CSF and plasma suggested progressive maturation of transport mechanisms at the choroid plexus and increase of CSF flow. The degree of concentration of inulin in the developing brain and the CSF of the young rat probably reflects cellular maturation of both barrier and secretory mechanisms.
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We also measured the inulin and sucrose space of skeletal muscle in rats of different age. In contrast to brain, the spaces measured by the two substances were the same and decreased with maturation of the animals.
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This study was supported, in part, by U. S. Public Health Service Research Program Grant 5-PO1-NB-04553.
Recipient of U. S. Public Health Service Research Career Program Award 5-K6-NB-18, 838.
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Ferguson, R.K., Woodbury, D.M. Penetration of 14C-inulin and 14C-sucrose into brain, cerebrospinal fluid, and skeletal muscle of developing rats. Exp Brain Res 7, 181–194 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00239028
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00239028