Age and sex as factors modifying the function of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the study was to find out, if there was a difference in function of the blood/cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB) in females and males, and if those differences intensify with age.

Material and methods: 120 patients of both sexes who underwent subarachnoideal anesthesia were divided into 6 groups, 20 patients each, considering sex and age criteria. Samples of venous blood (5 ml) and cerebrospinal fluid (1 ml) were collected from every patient simultaneously; then albumin permeability indexes (Qalb) were counted. The achieved results were compared using the t-Student test at the significance level of P < or = 0.05.

Results: The mean value of Qalb in patients aged 20-50 was significantly lower than in the group of patients aged 51-70, as well as in the group of patients over 71. The difference between mean Qalb values in patients aged 51-70 and those aged over 71 was also statistically significant. No statistically significant difference between mean Qalb values in females and in males in the corresponding age groups was found. In every age group the value of albumin permeability index was lower in females.

Conclusions: 1) The permeability of BCSFB increases with age. 2) There was no statistically significant difference between the values of albumin permeability index in females and males in the corresponding age groups. The function of BCSFB in the corresponding age groups of males and females was the same.