Aplicando o método de Lowry, determinamos as proteínas totais do LCR considerado normal de 98 pessoas: 58 do sexo masculino e 40 do feminino. Todas as amostras de LCR foram obtidas por punção da cisterna magna (LCR-SO). Mediante tratamento estatístico dos valores obtidos, estabelecemos as taxas normais de proteinorraquia cisternal para a população mista: limite superior de 40,36 mg/100 ml, valor médio de 26,78 mg/100 e limite inferior de 13,20 mg/100 ml. Estes valores são superiores àqueles referidos na literatura. Foi verificado que a proteinorraquia total é, em média, significantemente maior nos indivíduos do sexo masculino, que nos de feminino. Consequentemente estabelecemos em separado os níveis normais de proteínas totais do LCR-SO para pessoas do sexo masculino e feminino. As taxas médias de proteínas totais do LCR-SO de pessoas do sexo masculino e feminino são de 28,76 e 23,91 mg/100 ml, respectivamente; os limites normais vão de 16,96 a 47,13 mg/100 ml para o sexo masculino e de 14,76 a 42,76 mg/100 ml para o sexo feminino.

The total protein content of CSF collected from the cisterna magna (cisternal fluid) of 98 patients (58 males and 40 females) with no neurological diseases was determined by the colorimetric method devised by Lowry and co-workers. This method has been previously chosen based mainly on it's sensitivity, accuracy and low fluid consumption. The CSF samples were normal with regard to pressure, color, citology and it's content in glucose, chloride and urea. Complement fixation tests for syphilis and cisticercosis, as well as the globulin tests (Pandy, Nonne — Appelt and Takata-Ara) were negative. The average value and the normal range of cisternal fluid total protein was calculated for the mixed population (males and females). The mean protein value was 26.78 mg/100 ml, the lower and upper limits were respectively 13.20 and 40.36 mg/100 ml. These data are higher than those stated in some publications, and factors that could interfere in the different results mentioned in the literature are briefly discussed. Since the statistical analysis of the results showed that the mean total protein concentration in males (28.76 mg/100 ml) was higher than in females (23.91 mg/100 ml), normal limits for each sex were established: 16.96 to 47.13 mg/100 ml for males and 14.76 to 42.76 mg/100 ml for females.

Estudo do comportamento das concentrações de cloro, sódio, potássio e fósforo inorgânico no LCR de 33 pacientes na vigência de crises convulsivas e de 17 pacientes epilépticos na interfase de crises convulsivas. Os resultados obtidos foram estudados em comparação aos valôres normais anteriormente relatados. Não foram encontradas modificações quanto às taxas de íons estudados no LCR dos pacientes epilépticos examinados no período intercrítico. Foram verificadas alterações das taxas de íons estudados no LCR entre os pacientes estudados na vigência de crise convulsiva. As alterações encontradas se caracterizavam por aumento das taxas de potássio e de fósforo inorgânico. Os aumentos encontrados foram estatisticamente significantes. A taxa de sódio no LCR dos pacientes cuja crise convulsiva não se associava a outras manifestações de doença se apresentava, em média, aumentada. Diminuição das taxas médias de sódio e de cloro foi constatada entre os pacientes cuja crise convulsiva ocorreu durante reidratação. Os resultados foram discutidos em relação a dados da literatura quanto às modificações do metabolismo iônico envolvidas nos fenômenos de despo- larização de membrana, que ocorrem na crise convulsiva. Os aumentos verificados para as concentrações de potássio e de fósforo inorgânico no LCR durante a crise convulsiva confirmam os dados quanto à passagem dêsses ions do espaço intracelular para o extracelular nessas condições, já registrados através de estudos feitos no sangue e em amostras de cérebro de epilépticos.

The concentrations of Cl, Na, K and inorganic P were determined in CSF samples of 50 patients with epilepsy. In 33 patients the sample studied was collected at the occasion of a convulsive seizure (group I). In 17 patients it was collected in the intermediate period between seizures (group II). The patients of group I were children. They were grouped according to conditions associated to the convulsive seizure. In 9, there were no other manifestation of disease (sub-group Ia). In 12, the seizure was associated to hyperthermy (sub-group lb) and in 12 it occurred during rehydration therapy (sub-group Ic). The results were compared statistically to those obtained for a series of 25 non epileptic patients taken as control (group III). The results obtained for the latter fall in the normal range and were reported previously. Results obtained for the patients of the group II did not differ from those found in the control group. The concentrations of K and inorganic P were found to be increased in group I. Their mean differ significantly of those found for control group. There occurred a positive correlation between the concentrations of K and P in group I. The value of the correlation was significant. The findings regarding to the concentration of Na show shiftings that were not uniform. Their mean value was elevated in the sub-group Ia, normal in the sub-group Ib and low in the sub-group Ic. The mean value of the Cl concentration was low in the sub-group Ic. It was normal in the other two sub-groups. Data concerning to the changes in the concentrations of K and inorganic P in the CSF during convulsive seizures were discussed. Bioelectric changes of the cellular membrane during seizures are reported in the literature. They induce the passage of these components through the cellular membrane to the extracellular space thus resulting the elevation of their concentration in this space. The results presented make it possible to evaluate the extension of such changes in the fluid of the extravascular space. The latter is represented in the case by the CSF. The exchange of intracellular K and inorganic P to the extracellular space is accompanied by exchange of Na in the opposite direction. The Na concentration is referred to elevated in the intracellular space in these circumstances. The results reported suggest that Na is not provided by CSF only, for this exchange. Other compartments of the extracellular space and/or of the intracellular space may be more directly involved. This is suggested because the concentrations of Na in the CSF did not show uniform changes in the three sub-groups of patients with seizures that were considered. General changes in the extracellular fluid composition might explain the differences in the concentration of Na which were reported. The concentrations of Na and Cl found in the CSF of patients with convulsion during rehydration therapy are elucidative in this way. They were found to be low, suggesting an excess in the water uptake.