Summary
Glucocorticoids have a well-known clinical effect on brain edema and intracranial hypertension, but the mechanism of action is still poorly understood. In the present report the effect of betamethasone on choroid plexus transport and CSF formation was studied. Following 5 days of daily treatment with betamethasone the CSF production rate in rabbits was reduced by 43% as measured by ventriculo-cisternal perfusion with radioactive inulin. Accordingly, the transport capacity in the choroid plexus, measured in terms of choline uptake and accumulation in vitro, and the activity of Na+—K+-ATPase decreased in both rabbit (in the lateral ventricles by 31 and 31%, respectively) and rat (by 16 and 24%, respectively). Thus, the demonstrated influence of glucocorticoids on these functions of the choroid plexus seem to be important components in their therapeutic effect on intracranial hypertension.
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Lindvall-Axelsson, M., Hedner, P. & Owman, C. Corticosteroid action on choroid plexus: Reduction in Na+—K+-ATPase activity, choline transport capacity, and rate of CSF formation. Exp Brain Res 77, 605–610 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00249613
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00249613