Figure 2.

Interior of capillary

Impermeable
{Na+, Mannitol ,
aminoglycosides, most
hormones, Botulinum
toxin}

Small
hydrophilic
agents paracellular

Lipophilic
agents <500
Daltons transcellular
{ammonia, heroin,
thiopental,
methamphetamine}

Tight
junctions

{glucose, amino acids}

Transport
protein

Capillary endothelium

Astrocytic foot

Brain

Polar molecules

Receptor
mediated
{insulin,
transferrin}

Figure 2. Cross sectional view of the capillary

endothelium in the intact blood-brain barrier.
Small (<500 Daltons) lipophilic molecules can
traverse the endothelial cells without impedance.
Polar molecules require transport proteins for
migration, which is energy requiring. Proteins
generally have receptor-mediated transport.