Transport of cephalexin to the cerebrospinal fluid directly from the nasal cavity

Abstract

The aim of the present study has been to confirm the existence of a transport pathway for a drug (cephalexin) to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) directly from the nasal cavity, by comparing the drug's concentrations in CSF after intranasal (i.n.), intravenous (i.v.) and intraduodenal (i.d.) administration. Higher levels of the drug were found in CSF following i.n. administration compared with the i.v. and i.d. routes, even though its plasma concentrations were similar. These findings suggest the existence of a direct transport pathway for cephalexin from the nasal cavity to the CSF. The concentration of drug in CSF at 15 min after i.n. administration was higher than that at 30 min. In contrast, its concentrations in CSF at 15 min after i.v. and i.d. administration were not significantly different from those at 30 min. The results confirm the presence of a direct transport pathway to CSF from the nasal cavity. This pathway may represent a new delivery route to CSF and possibly to brain parenchyma.