Rapid Delivery of Etanercept to the Brain
Author Information
Author(s): Edward L Tobinick, Kai Chen, Xiaoyuan Chen
Primary Institution: Stanford University School of Medicine
Hypothesis
Can etanercept reach the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in effective concentrations after peripheral administration?
Conclusion
The study demonstrated that etanercept can rapidly accumulate in the CSF of rats after peripheral administration.
Supporting Evidence
- Etanercept was labeled with a positron emitter to visualize its distribution in the brain.
- MicroPET imaging showed rapid accumulation of etanercept in the CSF.
- Previous studies indicated that other large molecules can also penetrate the CSF after peripheral administration.
Takeaway
The researchers found that a medicine called etanercept can quickly get into the brain's fluid after being given in a different part of the body.
Methodology
The study involved injecting radiolabeled etanercept into the cervical spine of a rat and using microPET imaging to observe its distribution in the brain.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the author's financial interests in etanercept.
Limitations
The study was conducted on a single normal rat, which may not represent the effects in humans or in different conditions.
Participant Demographics
One normal Sprague-Dawley rat was used in the study.
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