Background: S100B is a calcium-binding protein expressed and secreted by astrocytes; serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) S100B elevation has been proposed as an index of brain damage. However, other tissues are shown to produce this protein and the clinical significance of serum S100B elevation has been discussed.
Methods: We investigated the levels of serum and CSF S100B in fasting Wistar rats. Animals were divided into two groups, control and fasting for 48 h, and S100B levels in serum and CSF were determined by ELISA. S100B secretion in dissociated epididymal fat cells was investigated in the presence of epinephrine.
Results: We observed a significant >2-fold increase of S100B levels in serum of fasting rats, without changes in its CSF content. Moreover, we demonstrated in vitro epinephrine stimulated S100B release from fat cells.
Conclusions: Present results reinforce that extracerebral sources of S100B, particularly adipocytes, contribute to its serum levels and support the idea that caution is needed when interpreting serum S100B increase as a clinical marker of brain damage.