Na-K activated adenosine triphosphatase formation of cerebrospinal fluid in the cat

Abstract

Digitalis-sensitive Na-K activated ATPase (Na-K ATPase), implicated in active cation transport, was shown to occur in cat choroid plexus. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) formation rate, measured by collection from cat cerebral aqueduct was inhibited 18% by intravenous desacetyl lanatoside C (0.2 mg/kg). Ouabain, placed intraventricularly, caused inhibition of flow, ranging from 100% by 10–5 mole to 0% by 5 x 10–10 mole. After 10–6 mole ouabain, Na-K ATPase activity in lateral ventricle choroid plexus was inhibited 69% without change in digitalis-insensitive, Mg activated ATPase and carbonic anhydrase activities. Ventriculocisternal perfusion with varying concentrations of ouabain, scillaren A, and hexahydroscillaren A gave CSF flow inhibition (inulin dilution technique) correlating quantitatively with in vitro Na-K ATPase inhibition. Other compounds studied were erythrophleine, cassaine, and l-norepinephrine. It is concluded that the choroid plexus Na-K ATPase system has a primary function in the formation of CSF in the cat, presumably through the active secretion of Na ions into the ventricle.