Evaluation of in vivo drug exposure is a vital component in the decision making process undertaken by drug discovery teams in determining the safety and efficiency of a particular drug. The drug’s penetration into the central nervous system (CNS) is a crucial factor in the approval process, which is obtained through the collection of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). NoAb Biodiscoveries conducts CSF collection on freely moving rats to provide the most comprehensive data on CNS penetration during the research phase.
Two fluid compartments make up the central nervous system, CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) and interstitial fluid. The interstitial fluid, as its name implies, surrounds the neurons and glia of the CNS, while cerebrospinal fluid fills the ventricles and serves as a cushion between the brain and the skull. By collecting CSF and plasma from the same rat over an extended period of time, data can be derived to help establish the drug’s penetration rate, as CSF concentration has been found to be an accurate indicator of overall brain penetration.
The process used by NoAb Biodiscoveries relies on freely moving rats. Cannulas are placed into the femoral vein for drug administration, and into the femoral artery for the collection of blood samples. A third cannula is inserted into the cisterna magna for CSF collection. Cerebrospinal fluid can be collected for up to 8 hours after drug administration, at a flow rate of ~2 μL/min and at 10-30 minute intervals. At the mid point of each collection of CSF, blood samples are taken. The CSF and plasma are tested to determine the concentration of the drug candidate using LC-MS/MS methods.
The data provided by this approach gives researchers and discovery teams important information about a drug candidate’s suitability and efficacy, allowing researchers to make crucial decisions about a drug candidate’s feasibility. The use of cerebrospinal fluid from NoAb Biodiscoveries’ CSF collection method serves as an important tool for the pre-clinical screening of drug candidates intended for CNS use in neuropharmacotherapy, brain chemotherapy, and antimicrobial therapy.
For more information about NoAb Biodiscoveries’ in vivo CSF collection and other services, visit www.noabbiodiscoveries.com. NoAb Biodiscoveries offers both in vivo and in vitro analysis, bioanalytical services, DTEX and more. Each service is rendered using the most effective methods, with the aim of accelerating the drug discovery process through innovation and technology.
