Increased blood-brain barrier dysfunction around cerebral stab wounds in rats immunized to brain antigens

Abstract
The extravasation of serum albumin and IgG was assayed by electroimmunoassay in cerebral cortex homogenates of rats subjected to stab wound injury either 2 wk after immunization to brain antigens or without prior immunization. The amount of IgG in the brain was significantly higher in immunized rats 3 and 24 h after injury. A significantly enhanced extravasation of albumin in immunized rats was found only after 24 h. Immunization to brain antigens enhances the vulnerability of the blood-brain barrier in rats subjected to stab wound injury.