Cerebral trypsinogen expression in human and rat cerebrospinal fluid

Trypsinogen was identified in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), where it has not p reviously been reported and its activation state in experimental subarachno id haemorrhage (SAH) in rats and in neurosurgical patients was determined. Trypsinogen activation peptide (TAP) release provided an equimolar marker f or trypsinogen. Total TAP was significantly reduced to 26% of the baseline level (P < 0.02) following experimental SAH in 15 rats but not in ten sham operated controls (P = 0.3). TAP was also measured in patients with rupture d (n = 11) and unruptured (n = 9) aneurysms who underwent craniotomy to cli p an aneurysm. Postoperatively there was a significant fall in TAP concentr ation (P < 0.005) in both groups. Trypsinogen, as identified by CSF levels of TAP, is activated by SAH in rats and by craniotomy for aneurysmal clippi ng in patients. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.