Effects of ferrofluid and phytoalexin spirobrassinin on thioflavin-T-based fluorescence in cerebrospinal fluid of the elderly and multiple sclerosis patients.

It is well known that misfolded peptides/proteins can play a role in processes of normal ageing and in the pathogenesis of many diseases including Alzheimer's disease. Previously, we evaluated samples of cerebrospinal fluid from patients with Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis by means of thioflavin-T-based fluorescence. We observed attenuated effects of magnetite nanoparticles operated via anti-aggregation actions on peptides/proteins from patients with Alzheimer's disease but not from those with multiple sclerosis when compared to age-related controls. In this study, we have evaluated the in vitro effects of anti-aggregation operating ferrofluid and phytoalexin spirobrassinin in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. We have found significant differences in native fluorescence (λ excitation = 440 nm, λ emission = 485 nm) of samples among particular groups (young controls < multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease < old controls). Differences among groups were observed also in thioflavin-T-based fluorescence (young controls = multiple sclerosis < Alzheimer's disease < old controls) and the most marked change from native to thioflavin-T-based fluorescence was found in young controls (28-40 years old people). Both ferrofluid and spirobrassinin evoked drops in thioflavin-T-based fluorescence; however, ferrofluid was more efficient in old controls (54-75 years old people) and spirobrassinin in multiple sclerosis patients, both compared to young controls. The results are discussed especially in relation to aggregated peptides/proteins and liposoluble fluorescent products of lipid peroxidation. Based on the significant effect of spirobrassinin in vitro, we suggest that spirobrassinin may be of therapeutic value in multiple sclerosis.

Imaging and movement of iron-oxide-bound antibody microparticles in brain and cerebrospinal fluid.

Therapy with monoclonal antibody conjugates has been proposed for patients with malignant intracranial tumors and meningeal carcinomatosis. One obstacle to successful immunotherapy has been the inability of adequate quantities of antibody to reach and bind malignant cells. The use of superparamagnetic antibody microparticles offers a potential solution to the problem of inadequate antibody delivery. In this report, studies of the imaging characteristics and magnetically-induced movement of iron oxide-bound antibody (IOAb) microparticles [BioMag] are described. 1 mg/ml IOAb was readily visualized using conventional CT scan technique, but produced image artifacts on MRI. Rapid movement of IOAb in vitro was noted to occur in response to a magnetic field gradient. This property was exploited in in vivo studies using laboratory animals. IOAb injected into the intrathecal space of sedated rats could be transported through the CSF and localized to the medial aspect of one cerebral hemisphere or the other, using an external magnet. Construction of specific microparticles may allow for improved delivery of therapeutic substances to specific sites within CSF pathways.