Drug transport across the blood-brain barrier. II. Experimental techniques to study drug transport

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Source:

Pharm Weekbl Sci, Volume 14, Number 6, p.338-48 (1992)

ISBN:

0167-6555 (Print)

Keywords:

Animals; Biological Transport; *Blood-Brain Barrier; Brain/blood supply/*metabolism; Cell Line; Cells; Cultured; Endothelium; Vascular/cytology/metabolism; Erythrocytes/metabolism; Humans; Mathematics; Pharmaceutical Preparations/*metabolism

Abstract:

This is part II of a review on the transport of drugs across the blood-brain barrier. In this part, the emphasis is on the various experimental techniques that can be used to characterize the blood-brain barrier transport of drugs. Generally speaking, three approaches can be distinguished: in vitro techniques using isolated brain capillaries, cerebrovascular endothelial cells in primary culture or endothelium-derived cell lines; in vivo techniques (both single-passage and multi-passage techniques) and in situ perfusion techniques. Each of these techniques has specific advantages and disadvantages associated with it. Therefore, in many instances, a combination of different approaches is needed to study the fundamental aspects of drug transport across the blood-brain barrier.

27/04/2009