Influence of nitrous oxide on local cerebral blood flow in awake, minimally restrained rats

Glutamate metabolism in cerebral mitochondria after ischemia and post-ischemic recovery during aging: relationships with brain energy metabolism

Glutamate is involved in cerebral ischemic injury, but its role has not been completely clarified and studies are required to understand how to minimize its detrimental effects, contemporarily boosting the positive ones. In fact, glutamate is not only a neurotransmitter, but primarily a key metabolite for brain bioenergetics. Thus, we investigated the relationships between glutamate and brain energy metabolism in an in vivo model of complete cerebral ischemia of 15 min and during post-ischemic recovery after 1, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h in 1-year-old adult and 2-year-old aged rats. The maximum rates (V_max ) of glutamate dehydrogenase (GlDH), glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase, and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase were assayed in somatic mitochondria (FM) and in intra-synaptic 'Light' mitochondria and intra-synaptic 'Heavy' mitochondria ones purified from cerebral cortex, distinguishing post- and pre-synaptic compartments. During ischemia, none of the enzymes were modified in adult animals. In aged ones, glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase was increased in FM and GlDH in intra-synaptic 'Heavy' mitochondria, stimulating glutamate catabolism. During post-ischemic recovery, FM did not show modifications at both ages while, in intra-synaptic mitochondria of adult animals, glutamate catabolism was increased after 1 h of recirculation and decreased after 48 and 72 h, whereas it remained decreased up to 96 h in aged rats. These results, with those previously published about Krebs' cycle and Electron Transport Chain (Villa et al., [2013] Neurochem. Int. 63, 765-781), demonstrate that: (i) V_max of energy-linked enzymes are different in the various cerebral mitochondria, which (ii) respond differently to ischemia and post-ischemic recovery, also (iii) with respect to aging.

Energy metabolism of cerebral mitochondria during aging, ischemia and post-ischemic recovery assessed by functional proteomics of enzymes

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, but most of the therapeutic approaches failed in clinical trials. The energy metabolism alterations, due to marked ATP decline, are strongly related to stroke and, at present, their physiopathological roles are not fully understood. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aging on ischemia-induced changes in energy mitochondrial transduction and the consequences on overall brain energy metabolism in an in vivo experimental model of complete cerebral ischemia of 15min duration and during post-ischemic recirculation after 1, 24, 48, 72 and 96h, in 1year "adult" and 2year-old "aged" rats. The maximum rate (Vmax) of citrate synthase, malate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase for Krebs' cycle; NADH-cytochrome c reductase and cytochrome oxidase for electron transfer chain (ETC) were assayed in non-synaptic "free" mitochondria and in two populations of intra-synaptic mitochondria, i.e., "light" and "heavy" mitochondria. The catalytic activities of enzymes markedly differ according to: (a) mitochondrial type (non-synaptic, intra-synaptic), (b) age, (c) acute effects of ischemia and (d) post-ischemic recirculation at different times. Enzyme activities changes are injury maturation events and strictly reflect the bioenergetic state of the tissue in each specific experimental condition respect to the energy demand, as shown by the comparative evaluation of the energy-linked metabolites and substrates content. Remarkably, recovery of mitochondrial function was more difficult for intra-synaptic mitochondria in "aged" rats, but enzyme activities of energy metabolism tended to normalize in all mitochondrial populations after 96h of recirculation. This observation is relevant for Therapy, indicating that mitochondrial enzymes may be important metabolic factors for the responsiveness of ischemic penumbra towards the restore of cerebral functions.

Differentiated effect of ageing on the enzymes of Krebs’ cycle, electron transfer complexes and glutamate metabolism of non-synaptic and intra-synaptic mitochondria from cerebral cortex

The effect of ageing on the activity of enzymes linked to Krebs' cycle, electron transfer chain and glutamate metabolism was studied in three different types of mitochondria of cerebral cortex of 1-year old and 2-year old male Wistar rats. We assessed the maximum rate (V(max)) of the mitochondrial enzyme activities in non-synaptic perikaryal mitochondria, and in two populations of intra-synaptic mitochondria. The results indicated that: (i) in normal, steady-state cerebral cortex the values of the catalytic activities of the enzymes markedly differed in the various populations of mitochondria; (ii) in intra-synaptic mitochondria, ageing affected the catalytic properties of the enzymes linked to Krebs' cycle, electron transfer chain and glutamate metabolism; (iii) these changes were more evident in intra-synaptic "heavy" than "light" mitochondria. These results indicate a different age-related vulnerability of subpopulations of mitochondria in vivo located into synapses than non-synaptic ones.

Transcranial Doppler ultrasound study of the effects of nitrous oxide on cerebral autoregulation during neurosurgical anesthesia: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECT

Nitrous oxide has an adverse effect on cerebrovascular hemodynamics. Increased intracranial pressure, cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral metabolic rate of O2 (CMRO2), and reduced autoregulation indices have been reported, but their magnitudes are still being debated. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of N2O on CBF and autoregulatory indexes during N2O-sevoflurane anesthesia in a prospective randomized controlled series of patients.

METHODS

Two groups of 20 patients were studied on the basis of the use of N2O in the anesthetic gas mixture. The transient hyperemic response test, which relies on transcranial Doppler ultrasound techniques, was used to assess cerebral hemodynamics. The time-averaged mean flow velocity, considered to be an index of actual CBF, increased significantly (p < 0.001) after introduction of N2O. The hyperemic response, considered as the index of autoregulatory potential, decreased significantly after introduction of N2O into the gas mixture (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The increase in CBF and the reduction in autoregulatory indices suggest caution in using N2O during sevoflurane anesthesia, especially in patients with reduced autoregulatory reserve and during neurosurgical interventions. Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography is an efficacious method to evaluate the effects of anesthetic agents on CBF.

ATPases of synaptic plasma membranes from hippocampus after ischemia and recovery during ageing

Plasticity and relationships between individual ATPases linked to energy-utilizing systems of hippocampus, a very sensitive functional area to both age and ischemia, were studied during ageing on synaptic plasma membranes of 1-year-old "adult" and 2-year-old "aged" rats after 15 min of complete cerebral ischemia and different reperfusion times (01, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h). Activities of Na+, K+, Mg(2+)-ATPase, Mg(2+)-ATPase ouabain insensitive, Na+, K(+)-ATPase, "direct" or "basal" Mg(2+)-ATPase, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were evaluated in synaptic plasma membranes, where they play the major role in the regulation of presynaptic nerve ending homeostasis. This in vivo study of recovery time-course from 15 mins of cerebral ischemia indicated specific biochemical assessments of functional meaning: (a) Na+K(+)-ATPase of synaptic plasma membranes in adult and aged animals is stimulated by ischemia; (b) this "hyperactivity" is more markedly related to adult than to aged animals; (c) these abnormalities still persist after 72 and 96 h during the recirculation times, indicating the delayed postischemic suffering of the brain; (d) specific Mg(2+)-ATPase enzyme system possess a lower catalytic power in aged animals than in adult ones, but remained unaltered in adult animals by ischemia and reperfusion; (e) Mg(2+)-ATPase is stimulated in aged animals by ischemia, further increasing during reperfusion up to 72-96 h, indicating the delayed hyperactivity of hippocampus; (f) the increased metabolic activity of hippocampus is indicated by the increased activity of cholinergic system; (g) integrity of synaptic plasma membranes seems not to be altered by 15 min ischemia to a critical extent to compromise their catalytic functionality during reperfusion; (h) AChE activity increases in both adult and aged at some survival times. There are logical reasons for the hypothesis that the modifications in ATPase's catalytic activities in synaptic plasma membranes, which have been modified by ischemia in presynaptic terminals, may play important functional role during recovery time in cerebral tissue in vivo, especially as regards its responsiveness to noxious stimuli, particularly during the recirculation period from acute (or chronic) brain injury.

Extracellular potassium in a neocortical core area after transient focal ischemia

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO) results in bioenergetic failure in the densely ischemic core areas. During reperfusion, transient recovery of the bioenergetic state is followed by secondary deterioration. In this study, we recorded the extracellular potassium concentrations in the cortical core during 2 hours of MCAO, as well as during recovery. One group of animals with recirculation periods of 6 to 8 hours was given the free radical spin trap alpha-phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN).

METHODS

The experiments were performed on adult male Wistar rats (305 to 335 g). The right MCA was occluded by an intraluminal filament technique. For [K+]e measurements a craniotomy was made over the right cortex, and an ion-sensitive microelectrode was lowered into the ischemic focus. Recording of [K+]e was continued for 2 hours. After 48 hours of reperfusion, infarction size was estimated with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride.

RESULTS

During MCA occlusion, [K+]e rose to approximately 60 mmol/L. However, several animals showed transient (and partial) periods of repolarization accompanied by a decrease in [K+]e. Immediately on reperfusion, the [K+]e started to recover and reached baseline levels (2.5 mmol/L) within 3 to 5 minutes. During the first 6 hours of recovery, [K+]e was stable at about 2.5 mmol/L, but after this period a moderate increase in the [K+]e was observed. This was not observed in animals injected with PBN 1 hour after reperfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest that delayed cell membrane dysfunction, as reflected in a rise in [K+]e, occurs after about 6 hours of reperfusion and that treatment with PBN in a single dose ameliorates or delays such deterioration of plasma membrane function.

Penumbral tissues salvaged by reperfusion following middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The rat is now extensively used for studies on focal cerebral ischemia, and several novel pharmacological principles have been worked out in rat models of middle cerebral artery occlusion. The objective of the present study was to assess how ischemic tissue can be salvaged by reperfusion in a model of transient focal ischemia that gives infarction of both the caudoputamen and the neocortex.

METHODS

The middle cerebral artery of anesthetized rats was occluded for 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, or 180 minutes by an intraluminal filament, and recirculation was instituted for 7 days to allow assessment of the density and localization of ischemic brain damage using histopathologic techniques. Local cerebral blood flow was measured in separate animals to verify that removal of the filament was followed by adequate recirculation.

RESULTS

Following 15 minutes of middle cerebral artery occlusion seven of eight rats showed selective neuronal necrosis in the caudoputamen, while the neocortex was normal. After 30 minutes of occlusion, seven of eight animals had infarcts localized to the lateral caudoputamen, and four of eight had selective neuronal necrosis in the neocortex. Prolongation of the ischemia to 60 minutes induced cortical infarction in all eight rats. The infarct size increased progressively with increasing occlusion time, up to 120-180 minutes, when the infarcts were as extensive as those observed following 24 hours of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion.

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate a time window for salvage of penumbral tissues by reperfusion that is shorter than that suggested on the basis of previous data in other species. The results probably reflect a lower collateral blood flow in the rat than in other species. This should be taken into account when the effect of pharmacological agents is studied in rats.

Effects of nitrous oxide on cerebral haemodynamics and metabolism during isoflurane anaesthesia in man

Seven normoventilated and five hyperventilated healthy adults undergoing cholecystectomy and anaesthetized with methohexitone, fentanyl and pancuronium were studied with measurement of cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2), and quantified electroencephalography (EEG) under two sets of conditions: 1) 1.7% end-tidal concentration of isoflurane in air/oxygen; 2) 0.85% end-tidal concentration of isoflurane in nitrous oxide (N2O)/oxygen. The object was to study the effects of N2O during isoflurane anaesthesia on cerebral circulation, metabolism and neuroelectric activity. N2O in the anaesthetic gas mixture caused a 43% (P less than 0.05) increase in CBF during normocarbic conditions but no significant change during hypocapnia. CMRO2 was not significantly altered by N2O. EEG demonstrated an activated pattern with decreased low frequency activity and increased high frequency activity. The results confirm that N2O is a potent cerebral vasodilator in man, although the mechanisms underlying the effects on CBF are still unclear.

Influence of nitrous oxide administration and discontinuation thereof on blood flow in cerebral cortex, cerebellum and brain stem in the rat

The effect of nitrous oxide on blood flow in the cerebral cortex, the cerebellum and the brain stem was evaluated in a rat model. Catheters were surgically implanted in advance to avoid influence from other anaesthetics. The animals were housed in a plastic tube where they were allowed to breathe spontaneously. Blood flow was determined with a microsphere technique. Animals were exposed to nitrous oxide, 75-80%, for 45 min and blood flow was measured after 15 and 45 min exposure and was compared to values obtained during room air breathing. In one animal group, nitrous oxide was administered for 45 min and blood flows were measured after 5 and 30 min withdrawal of the gas. Results showed that all animals had significant hyperventilation. In three groups CO2 had to be added to inspiratory gases to normalize arterial blood gases. This was interpreted as caused by stressful experimental conditions, not blunted by the nitrous oxide. Cortical blood flow values in the control situation were also higher than obtained in other animal studies. Despite this, nitrous oxide showed a significant vasodilation in the cerebral cortex and the brain stem at 15 min exposure. At discontinuation of nitrous oxide administration, blood flow values had decreased at 5 min.

Aging brain: effect of acetyl-L-carnitine treatment on rat brain energy and phospholipid metabolism. A study by 31P and 1H NMR spectroscopy

The effects of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) on metabolites involved in energy and phospholipid metabolism have been evaluated by mean of 31P and 1H NMR spectroscopy on adult (6 months) and old (24 months) rat brains. A significant increase of glycerophosphorylcholin (GroPCho) in aged rat brain has been observed as compared with adult rat brain. No variations in ATP, phosphocreatine (PCr), Cr, lactate, ADP and inorganic phosphate (Pi) levels have been found between aged and adult brains. Treatment with ALCAR caused a significant increase in PCr levels and a decrease in lactate and sugar phosphate in adult and aged rat brain. These results are suggestive of treatment with ALCAR being responsible for a reduction in brain glycolytic flow and for enhancing the utilization of alternative energy sources, such as lipid substrates or ketone bodies. Furthermore, the changes in GroPCho levels observed after treatment with ALCAR may be indicative of a modulating effect on the activity of the enzymes involved in the acylation-re-acylation process of membrane phospholipids.

Ischemia in normoglycemic and hyperglycemic rats: plasma energy substrates and hormones

Seizures are a documented complication to cerebral ischemia. After 10 min of forebrain ischemia in rats, preischemic hyperglycemia invariably leads to severe, most often fatal epileptic attacks. This outcome is related to the exaggerated lactic acidosis, which has been suggested as a possible contributor to severe membrane changes and widespread edema. To find out if circulating hormones or plasma energy substrates modulate this additive damage caused by the hyperglycemia, plasma concentrations of of corticosterone, epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, glucagon, insulin, glucose, free fatty acids (FFA), 3-hydroxybutyrate, and acetoacetate were measured before and in the early recirculation period after 15 min of forebrain ischemia in the rat. Plasma corticosterone levels did not differ between the normo- and hyperglycemic groups. Although not significantly different from control, the catecholamine levels showed a tendency to be higher in the hyperglycemic groups. Therefore, because catecholamines have been reported to have a protective effect during ischemia the present result cannot explain why hyperglycemia aggravates the ischemic damage. Insulin levels seemed to increase during ischemia but not significantly. Levels quickly returned to normal after 30 min of recirculation. FFA concentrations were reduced after the induction of ischemia and appeared lower in all hyperglycemic groups. The level of one of the ketone bodies, 3-hydroxybutyrate, showed a significant decrease in hyperglycemic ischemia in all groups compared with normoglycemic ischemia. The same tendency was seen for acetoacetate. Results are compatible with a protective role of ketone bodies in ischemia. It is concluded that among the hormones and substrates studied only the ketone body concentrations qualify as a modulator of the exaggerated brain damage after ischemia in hyperglycemic subjects.

Conditions for pharmacologic evaluation in the gerbil model of forebrain ischemia

We looked at FiO2, choice of anesthetic, nutritional status, and body temperature in a gerbil model of forebrain ischemia to determine their effect on data interpretation, ischemic outcome, and extent of pharmacologic protection. We subjected 484 gerbils to 5 minutes of forebrain ischemia under different experimental conditions. The gerbils were anesthetized with 3% halothane and inspired 21% O2, 37% O2 and 60% N2O, or 97% O2. Six groups of gerbils pretreated with 200 mg/kg phenytoin or 2 ml/kg polyethylene glycol (vehicle) underwent ischemia in the fasted or fed state. Three groups of gerbils receiving no pretreatment underwent ischemia with rectal temperatures of 32-33 degrees C, 34-35 degrees C, or 37 degrees C. We counted intact neurons in the CA1 hippocampal sector in brains fixed on Day 7 after ischemia. t tests of square-root-transformed cell counts were used to assess the effect of hypothermia, and analysis of variance of the transformed data was used to test for the effects of phenytoin, FiO2, and nutritional status. Phenytoin pretreatment provided significant protection from CA1 neuron loss in all groups tested (p less than 0.001), but the degree of protection varied from 20% to 44%. In spite of significantly higher serum glucose concentrations in fed than in fasted gerbils (173 and 118 mg/dl, respectively), we found no significant effect of nutritional status upon neuron loss in phenytoin- or vehicle-pretreated gerbils. An FiO2 of 21% significantly decreased the number of viable neurons in both vehicle- and phenytoin-pretreated groups (p less than 0.03), despite the lack of an effect of hypoxemia on arterial blood gases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Preischemic hyperglycemia enhances postischemic depression of cerebral metabolic rate

The objective of the present study was to explore metabolic correlates to the appearance of postischemic seizures and the enhancement of brain damage observed in subjects that are made hyperglycemic prior to the induction of ischemia. To that end, transient forebrain ischemia of 10-min duration was induced in normo- and hyperglycemic rats, with subsequent measurements of local CMRglc (LCMRglc) after 3, 6, 12, and 18 h of recirculation. We posed the questions of whether postischemic depression of LCMRglc is exaggerated by preischemic hyperglycemia and whether there are signs of localized increases in LCMRglc in hyperglycemic rats, reflecting subclinical seizure activity. The results confirmed the presence of a long-lasting postischemic depression of LCMRglc in normoglycemic rats. This depression was partially but not tightly related to the degree of reduction of local CBF during ischemia. The depression was most pronounced in neocortical areas and in the hippocampus, but notably it was less pronounced in the densely ischemic caudoputamen. Little or no reduction of LCMRglc was observed in moderately or mildly ischemic structures such as the hypothalamus, red nucleus, and cerebellum. Preischemic hyperglycemia markedly accentuated the postischemic depression of LCMRglc. For example, although the subjects quickly regained wakefulness and motility, they had LCMRglc values in neocortical areas that remained below 50% of control. Corresponding but quantitatively less pronounced reductions in LCMRglc were observed in other areas. Notably, preischemic hyperglycemia reduced postischemic LCMRglc also in areas that showed only moderate to mild reductions in CBF during the ischemia. The results thus demonstrate that preischemic hyperglycemia has pronounced metabolic effects in the postischemic recovery period. The data provide no indication that postischemic seizures, which develop after a recovery period of approximately 24 h, are preceded by the appearance of hypermetabolic "seizure" foci.

Simultaneous, quantitative measurement of local blood flow and glucose utilization in tissue samples in normal and injured feline brain

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) and local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU) were measured using radioactive microspheres and [14C]2-deoxyglucose, respectively, in 26 brain regions in control animals (n = 8) and in animals (n = 4) sustaining low-level experimental brain injury. Examination of the initial (resting) CBF measurement in the uninjured cats revealed two subgroups with significantly (p less than 0.01) different CBF levels. In uninjured cats with normal CBF levels (33.4 +/- 1.8 ml/100 g/min) there was a close linear relationship between CBF and LCGU (n = 0.71, p less than 0.01). In contrast, the remainder of the uninjured cats exhibited abnormally high levels of CBF (72.6 +/- 9.9 ml/100 g/min) and the absence of a close relationship between CBF and LCGU (r = 0.27). One hour following low-level (2.0 atm) fluid percussion brain injury, CBF was increased and LCGU was decreased, though not significantly. The relationship between CBF and LCGU remained intact (r = 0.66, p less than 0.01) in most brain regions. However, the relationship between CBF and LCGU in the hippocampus differed significantly from the relationship between the two parameters in the rest of the brain. Thus, the use of the radioactive microsphere method for CBF measurements allows multiple measurements of CBF and permits the assessment of the status of the cerebral vasculature prior to experimental manipulations such as traumatic brain injury. In view of our current findings of an abnormal relationship between CBF and LCGU in cats with high resting CBF levels, this is an important advantage. In addition, the combination of the microsphere and 2-DG techniques within the same tissue samples allows for the investigation of the effects of traumatic injury on the important relationship between CBF and LCGU.

Local cerebral glucose consumption during ethanol withdrawal in the rat: effects of single and multiple episodes and previous convulsive seizures

Local cerebral glucose consumption (l-CMRgl) was studied using [14C]2-deoxyglucose autoradiography in minimally restrained rats during acute (12 or 18 h postwithdrawal (p.w.] and late (14 days p.w.) ethanol withdrawal, as well after 10 previous, weekly withdrawal episodes as after a similar period of isocalorical feeding. A period of two days of intoxication was established by gastric intubation. Spontaneous incomplete convulsive seizures were observed during the 8th to 10th withdrawal episode. Audiogenic seizures occurred following stimulation during the 6th and 10th withdrawal episode. Animals with previous spontaneous or audiogenic seizure were distributed randomly and evenly among the groups. l-CMRgl values were adjusted to a temperature of 38 degrees C. During acute withdrawal, l-CMRgl was significantly reduced by 18-32% in cortical and most limbic regions, but unchanged in cerebellum and subcortical structures as compared with the neutral state (late withdrawal and control groups). l-CMRgl was relatively more lowered in the amygdala in animals with previous spontaneous withdrawal seizures and in structures belonging to the auditory system in animals with previous audiogenic seizures. l-CMRgl did not differ among neutral groups. The lowered l-CMRgl in cortical and limbic regions during withdrawal contrasts to the results of previous studies. This difference may be attributed to the minimal restraint of animals in this study. The pattern of l-CMRgl in acute and late withdrawal animals with previous spontaneous withdrawal seizures is consistent with a mechanism comparable to electrical amygdala kindling contributing to seizure genesis.

Effect of stable xenon in room air on regional cerebral blood flow and electroencephalogram in normal baboons

Measurement of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was performed in 6 healthy baboons during ventilation with 35% stable xenon in artificial air. rCBF was measured with the intraarterial xenon-133 method. EEG was recorded continuously. All CBF areas of interest over one hemisphere reacted in the same way. Mean flow increased during short-term exposure to stable xenon and decreased if stable xenon inhalation was continued for at least 24 minutes. EEG showed a decrease of alpha- and beta-wave patterns a short time after the start of stable xenon inhalation without further changes over the period when rCBF finally decreased. CO2 reactivity increased in most animals, and autoregulation to mild arterial hypotension was significantly impaired with increased flow. It is concluded that 35% stable xenon in artificial air increases rCBF after short-term exposure and decreases rCBF after longer exposure. EEG changes were noted after short-term exposure. rCBF and EEG recovered rapidly after the end of stable xenon inhalation.

Regional cerebral blood flow during cortical spreading depression in rat brain: increased reactive hyperperfusion in low-flow states

The purpose of the present study was to characterize the initial vascular events accompanying cortical spreading depression (CSD) of the rat brain. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured during the first 1-2 min of CSD using 14C-iodoantipyrine autoradiography. The material included a reference group, and 4 groups where rCBF was altered by indomethacin treatment, hypo- or hypercapnia, or one previous episode of CSD. rCBF did not change prior to, or during the onset of CSD. Thirty seconds later, rCBF increased depending on the pre-existing level of blood flow, i.e. the rise of rCBF was pronounced at depressed flow levels, but small or absent at normal or high flow levels. The prevalent view that CSD is intimately associated with vasodilatation was accordingly not supported. The activated rCBF in normocapnic rats ranged between 93 and 175 ml/100g/min, supranormal values were the exception rather than the rule. The rCBF rise, when present, probably succeeds a period of brain hypoxia, and should be classified as a reactive hyperfusion. The results together with earlier clinical and experimental findings, support that CSD may serve as experimental migraine model.

Forebrain ischemia in the rat. Relation between duration of ischemia, use of adjunctive ganglionic blockade and long-term recovery

The relation between duration of ischemia, use of adjunctive ganglionic blockade and long-term recovery was studied in a rat model giving reversible subtotal forebrain ischemia. Ischemia was induced by bilateral carotid artery clamping and controlled hemorrhage to a mean arterial pressure of 50 mm Hg in animals artificially ventilated under 70% N2O. After variable lengths of time, the clamps were removed and the drawn blood was reinfused. In some animals, the ganglion blocker Arfonad was given (group A+) on induction of ischemia to facilitate hypotension. There was a strict dose-response relationship between duration of ischemia and mortality. Mortality was higher among animals not given Arfonad (group A-; 37% after 10 min of ischemia and 100% after 13 min) than in group A+ (about 20% after 12-13 min of ischemia, 50% after 15 min and 80% after 19 min). In group A+ more than half of the animals died later than 24 h after ischemia. All of them were hyperexcitable and 12% died during witnessed epileptic fits. Group A- animals regularly died within the first 24 h, with no indication of central nervous system involvement. Less blood had to be drawn to attain hypotension (mean arterial pressure 50 mm Hg) in group A+ (1.5 +/- 0.3 ml/100 g b.w.) than in group A- (2.5 +/- 0.2 ml/100 g b.w.). Group A+ also had less "washout" acidosis 5 min after reinfusion of the shed blood than group A- (15 min of ischemia: pH 7.24 +/- 0.07 v 6.96 +/- 0.06).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A method for measuring regional cerebral blood flow in freely moving, unstressed rats

Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured in awake, freely moving, unstressed rats using the diffusible indicator, [14C]iodoantipyrine (IAP). Rats were prepared with catheters in the abdominal aorta and the right jugular vein and allowed to recover for 5-7 days in a special chamber. The catheters were accessible from the outside of the chamber and permitted cerebral blood flow to be measured without disturbing the rat. The length of the arterial catheter created a time delay and a dispersion of the tracer in blood as it was sampled over time. A correction was made for the catheter length using a numeric solution of the convolution integral. Blood flow in regions composed predominantly of grey matter ranged from 68 to 240 ml/100 g/min with the highest flow in the inferior colliculus. Flows in cortical regions ranged from 103 to 200 ml/100 g/min. Flow in the neural lobe of the pituitary was 454 ml/100 g/min. These studies demonstrate that the errors in measuring arterial tracer concentration when blood is sampled from a long catheter can be corrected. The correction permits rCBF to be measured in freely moving rats.

Pentoxifylline: cerebral blood flow and glucose utilization in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats

Pentoxifylline, 0.30 mg/kg/min, significantly reduced cerebral blood flow by 10-44% in 19 of 23 regions studied in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats. Bilateral ligation of the common carotid arteries reduced cerebral blood flow to 24-46% of resting values in 20 structures; a further reduction to 10-27% of resting values was seen after pentoxifylline in 10 cortical or subcortical structures. Thus, in conscious hypertensive rats, there is no evidence that pentoxifylline redistributes blood flow from normal to low flow brain regions. Pentoxifylline did not reduce the metabolic rate of glucose.

Stress and local cerebral blood flow: studies on restrained and unrestrained rats

The degree of stress has been compared between two protocols used for the measurement of local cerebral blood flow (LCBF) in conscious rats. The first method involved acute surgical procedures (cannulation of both femoral veins and arteries) under halothane anesthesia. It was followed by a recovery period (2-3 h) during which the rat was before LCBF measurement. The second method employed chronic cannulation of the abdominal aorta and vena cava, allowing the LCBF assays to be performed on freely moving rats. Plasma corticosterone and a glucose tolerance tests showed that the freely moving rats were less stressed than the gently restrained ones. The LCBF of the two groups were not significantly different except in the frontal and parietal cortex, where it was more elevated in the freely moving rats. LCBF may be sensitive to the environmental conditions in freely moving rats whereas these vascular effects may be reduced after 2-3 h of gentle restraint. The two protocols tested in this study could be considered as good methods for studying LCBF in conscious rats, although some stress remained in gently restrained rats. Freely moving rats can be used for behavioural studies providing that the time lag of the arterial samples is taken into account. Since the basal LCBF values of gently restrained rats are minimally affected by the stress inherent in the preparation, this convenient protocol could be considered as useful for numerous investigations.

Ischemia and aging brain. Studies on glucose and energy metabolism in rat cerebral cortex

Age has been considered to be a crucial risk factor for brain ischemic insults and their mortality. Brain ischemia has been found to cause severe abnormalities in glucose metabolism, energy metabolism and related metabolism, thus damaging the structure and function of brain cells. To study the effect of age and ischemia on brain glucose and energy metabolism, investigations were performed on one-and two-year-old male Wistar rats, the latter of which can be designated as aged. In both age groups, ischemia resulted in a depletion of glucose, OAA, ATP AND CRP, a diminution of Pyr, Citr and alpha-Keto and an accumulation of FDP, Lact, Succ, ADP and AMP in brain cortex. During ischemia, differences between the two age groups became most obvious in the concentrations of Glu, FDP, DHAP, Lact, Succ, Mal, ADP and AMP. In general, the metabolic changes in both age groups point to an increased glycolytic flux which may be less accelerated in the aged group, to an inhibition of the starting reactions of the tricarboxylic acid cycle more severe in aged animals, to a preponderance of anaplerotic reactions in this oxidative system more pronounced in the two-year-old group and to a loss of AMP in the same age group. The age-related metabolic variations measured may indicate that with age the biological plasticity of the brain may be reduced to meet emergency conditions.

Dose and time dependent cerebrovascular and metabolic effects of ethanol

The purpose of these experiments was to determine the effect of ethanol dose and time of administration on cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral oxygen consumption (CMRO2). CBF and CMRO2 were measured in Sprague-Dawley rats 30 and 90 minutes after intraperitoneal injections of ethanol. Blood alcohol concentrations ranged from 1 to 3 mg/ml and were equivalent at both time periods. Ethanol produced small but significant increases in CBF and CMRO2 with blood alcohol concentrations. The above changes were not time dependent and were similar between 30 and 90 minute testing periods. The dose dependent effects of ethanol on cerebral metabolism are consistent with in vitro studies suggesting a dose related effect of ethanol on neuronal metabolism. The time of application appears to have little effect on the cerebral metabolic effects of alcohol.

The effect of age on glucose and energy metabolism in brain cortex of rats

It is well documented that the mature human brain oxidizes only glucose to obtain energy under physiological, nonstarved conditions. Through adulthood to the beginning of senescence, the balance between oxygen and glucose consumption of the brain was found to be unchanged as the basis for energy production. Beyond the age of 70 yr, however, cerebral glucose consumption appears to decrease. In the present study, the effect of advancing age on glucose and energy metabolism in brain cortex of rats was investigated. The study was carried out in male Wistar rats, 6 (young adult), 12 (adult), 24 and 30 (both aged) mth of age. Male Wistar rats may be designated as being 'aged' from 24 mth of life onwards. Intermediates of glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle and energy-rich compounds were measured by means of sensitive standard enzymatic methods under steady-state conditions of arterial normotension, normoxemia, normocapnia and normothermia in anesthesia with 0.5 vol% halothane and nitrous oxide/oxygen 70:30. The 12-mth-old adult rats served as controls. The glucose concentration in brain cortex was found to be about 1.5 times higher in 6-mth-old than in 12-mth-old animals but did not differ in the 12-, 24-, and 30-mth-old rats. Besides glucose, fructose-1,6-phosphate and ATP decreased from young adult to adult rats while pyruvate, malate and creatine phosphate diminish with advancing age. A tendency to reduction with aging was also evident in glucose-6-phosphate, fructose-1, 6-diphosphate, and lactate. The fall in substrate concentrations may be attributed to the reduced activity of enzymes acting in glucose breakdown. It is concluded that glucose and energy metabolism may diminish with the process of normal aging, but that the reduction is of only moderate extent.

Effects of fentanyl on local cerebral blood flow in the rat

Fentanyl reduces the cortical cerebral blood flow and metabolic rate for oxygen in rats, though seizure activity occurs in some animals at high doses. However, the effects of fentanyl on blood flow and metabolism in subcortical structures have not been clearly delineated. The present study examines the effects of intravenous fentanyl (100 or 400 micrograms . kg-1) on local cerebral blood flow (1-CBF) in paralyzed, mechanically ventilated rats. Rats ventilated with 70% N2O in 30% O2 served as controls. Local CBF was measured using 14C-iodoantipyrine and autoradiography. Blood pressure, PaO2, PaCO2, pH, and temperature were comparable in all groups. The EEG showed slow wave activity in most animals given 100 micrograms . kg-1 fentanyl while seizure activity occurred in all animals given 400 micrograms . kg-1 fentanyl. With 100 micrograms . kg-1 fentanyl, CBF tended to be depressed in all cortical and subcortical areas, except the peri-aqueductal gray; and with 400 micrograms . kg-1 fentanyl, 1-CBF tended to be elevated (compared to 100 micrograms . kg-1 fentanyl) in most areas of the brain. The limbic system structures, however, were most affected by 400 micrograms . kg-1 fentanyl with statistically significant increases (compared to the 100 micrograms . kg-1 group) in 1-CBF of 86% and 67% respectively in the amygdala and septal nucleus. These results confirm that moderately high doses of fentanyl which cause slow wave activity on the EEG also depress 1-CBF in rats; moreover, doses of fentanyl that produce seizure activity produce increases in 1-CBF in most cerebral structures with greatest effects on limbic system 1-CBF.

Effects of xenon and krypton on regional cerebral blood flow in the rat

The effects of high inspired concentrations of xenon and krypton on regional CBF (rCBF) were assessed in the rat using [14C]iodoantipyrine and quantitative autoradiography. Inhalation of 80% xenon for 1 or 2 min and inhalation of 40% xenon for 2 min were found to have significant effects on rCBF, including average increases of 75-96% in cerebral neocortical regions. Inhalation of 40% xenon for 1 min and of 80% krypton for 2 min had no significant effect on rCBF in most brain regions studied. If xenon inhalation produces effects on rCBF in humans similar to those observed in the rat, such effects could be an important source of error in xenon computed tomography rCBF studies.

The effect of indomethacin on the local cerebral blood flow increase induced by somato-sensory stimulation

The local cerebral blood flow in cerebral cortical and subcortical regions of the rat brain was studied with the 14C-iodoantipyrine autoradiographic technique at rest and during strong non-noxious stimulation of the nose. Patterns of local blood flow changes evoked by stimulation with and without pretreatment of indomethacin, a potent cyclooxygenase inhibitor were determined. Stimulation produced a marked heterogeneous enhancement of CBF. Indomethacin did not prevent this effect although the absolute flow levels were considerably lower in indomethacin-treated animals. Indomethacin was especially effective in reducing the cerebral cortical blood flow response to stimulation whereas the subcortical response was much less affected.

Immobilization of rats modifies the response of striatal neurons to dexamphetamine

The effect of dexamphetamine (DEX) on striatal multi-unit activity was examined in freely moving rats and again 24 or 48 hr later during immobilization. Animals which in the freely moving state responded with striatal activation following DEX, 1 mg/kg IP, did not respond to this dose of DEX after immobilization. Similarly with DEX 2.5 mg/kg IP, the incidence of excitatory responses seen in freely moving animals decreased to 18% after immobilization, and the incidence of inhibition and biphasic responses increased from 0% in freely moving animals to 52% in immobilized preparations. The results suggest that the response of striatal neurons to DEX is dependent upon the behavioural state of the animal. Furthermore, these findings indicate that the central actions of DEX are more complex than previously believed, and raises the speculation that the excitatory effects of DEX on striatal neurons may be mediated through excitatory striatal afferents.

Models for studying long-term recovery following forebrain ischemia in the rat. 1. Circulatory and functional effects of 4-vessel occlusion

The article describes findings obtained by the application of the Pulsinelli-Brierley 4-vessel occlusion ischemic model in 2 rat strains. In one, a high incidence of respiratory arrest was observed after carotid occlusion. In the other, no such problems were encountered but a large fraction of the animals failed to lose consciousness upon arterial occlusion. In these "stuporous" animals, CBF values of major forebrain structures, as measured by a tissue sampling 14C-iodoantipyrine technique, showed considerable scatter with some values approaching 75% of control. However, even in animals which became comatose, flow was variable and occasionally approached 50% of control, the variability being especially pronounced in the hippocampus and the thalamus. It is concluded that the variability in ischemic flow rates must be taken into account when the model is used for studies of pathophysiological events and therapeutic interventions.

Regional cerebral blood flow in conscious stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured autoradiographically with [14C]iodoantipyrine as a diffusible tracer in two strains of conscious normotensive rats (Wistar Kyoto and local Wistar) and in two groups of spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rats (SHRSP) with a mean arterial pressure (MAP) below or above 200 mm Hg. In spite of the large differences in arterial pressure, rCBF did not differ significantly between the hypertensive and the normotensive groups in any of the 14 specified brain structures measured. However, rCBF increased asymmetrically within part of the caudate-putamen in two of nine SHRSP with a MAP above 200 mm Hg, indicating a regional drop in the elevated cerebrovascular resistance.

Responses of striatal neurons to anesthetics and analgesics in freely moving rats

The effects of anaesthetics and analgesics on striatal neurons were examined in freely moving rats by recording extracellular action potentials of neurons in the striatum. Spontaneous multiple unit activity was reduced to less than 20% of control firing rates following either pentobarbital 35 mg/kg i.p., halothane 3%, chloral hydrate 400 mg/kg i.p., or urethane 1.5 g/kg i.p. Morphine 15 mg/kg i.p., decreased striatal neuronal firing whereas ketamine, 50 mg/kg i.p., excited striatal neurons. The only analgesic agent tested that did not significantly affect striatal neuronal firing was nitrous oxide (70% N2O/30% O2). These findings demonstrate that nitrous oxide is a suitable analgesic which can be used to alleviate stress and pain associated with immobilization procedures without appreciably altering spontaneous striatal discharge rates.

Regional differences in vascular autoregulation in the rat brain in severe insulin-induced hypoglycemia

The present experiments were undertaken to determine if loss of vascular autoregulation during severe hypoglycemia shows regional differences that could help to explain the localization of hypoglycemic cell damage. Artificially ventilated rats (70% N2O) were subjected to a 30-min insulin-induced hypoglycemic coma (with cessation of EEG activity), with mean arterial blood pressure being maintained at 140, 120, 100, and 80 mm Hg. After 30 min of hypoglycemia, local cerebral blood flow (CBF) in 25 brain structures was measured autoradiographically with a [14C]iodoantipyrine technique. Since local CBF values did not differ between the 120 and the 100 mm Hg groups, the animals of these groups were pooled (110 mm Hg group). The results showed that at a blood pressure of 140 mm Hg, CBF was increased in 22 of 25 structures analyzed, the maximal values approximating 300% of control. At 110 mm Hg, cerebral cortical structures had CBF values that were either decreased, normal, or slightly increased; however, many subcortical structures (and cerebellum) showed markedly increased flow rates. Although a lowering of blood pressure to 80 mm Hg usually further reduced flow rates, some of these latter structures also had well-maintained CBF values at that pressure. Thus, there were large interstructural variations of local CBF at any of the pressures examined. Analysis of the pressure-flow relationship showed loss of autoregulation in some structures, whereas others had remarkably well-preserved CBF values at low pressures. The results indicate that during severe hypoglycemia, even relatively moderate arterial hypotension may add a circulatory insult to the primary one, and they strongly suggest that any such insult affects some brain structures more than others.

Local cerebral blood flow in the recovery period following complete cerebral ischemia in the rat

This study examines reflow patterns in the recirculation period following complete, global ischemia. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compression ischemia was induced in ventilated rats for 5-30 min, and local cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured autoradiographically after 5, 60, and 90 min of recirculation. Ischemia of 15 min duration was induced by four-vessel occlusion combined with arterial hypotension in two additional groups, with recovery periods of 5 or 60 min. In the immediate recirculation period (5 min), following 15 min of ischemia, local CBF was markedly heterogeneous. Thus, whereas most structures gave clear evidence of "reactive hyperemia," others showed perfusion defects of the "no-reflow" type. Typically these defects affected the striatum, thalamus, and hippocampus, as well as the frontal, sensorimotor, and parietal cortices. Areas of no-reflow appeared after 10 min, were more extensive after 15 min, and occupied a major part of the brain after 30 min of ischemia. When recirculation was instituted for 60 or 90 min, following 15 min of ischemia, flow returned in previously unperfused areas. However, a delayed hypoperfusion developed, which differed widely between structures (range of CBF values, 20-80% of control). When the ischemic period was prolonged to 30 min, some perfusion defects remained, even after 90 min of recirculation.

Effect of nitrous oxide on local cerebral glucose utilization in rats

The influence of 70-80% N2O on local local cerebral glucose utilization (CMRg1) in the rat brain was studied with the [14C]deoxyglucose method in minimally restrained, spontaneously breathing animals 75 min following discontinuation of halothane anaesthesia. Nitrous oxide was found to have only small effects on local CMRg1 in the majority of the 25 structures analyzed. When corrections were made for a small difference in body temperature between nitrous oxide--breathing animals and those breathing air nitrous oxide was found to significantly increase local CMRg1 in some subcortical structures by 15-25% (red nucleus, thalamus, geniculate bodies, and superior colliculus), and to decrease local CMRg1 in nucleus accumbens and sensorimotor cortex by comparable amounts. Thus, although nitrous oxide does not alter overall glucose utilization in the brain, it differentially affects CMRg1 in some brain structures.

Effect of diazepam on cerebral monoamine synthesis during hypoxia and hypercapnia in the rat

In view of the fact that diazepam has been shown to prevent an increase in catecholamine synthesis and/or turnover rates in stressful situations, and to modify the cerebral metabolic (and circulatory) response to hypoxia and hypercapnia, the influence of the drug on synthesis rates of DOPA and 5-HTP in three regions of the rat brain were studied under normoxic-normocapnic conditions, as well as in hypoxia and hypercapnia. In order to exclude a modifying influence of variations in tissue pO2 during hypercapnia, cerebral venous pO2 was kept at control values by moderate arterial hypoxia. When compared to the control state (paralyzed animals maintained on 70% N2O) normoxic and normocapnic animals given diazepam (in the absence of N2O) showed a slightly enhanced DOPA synthesis in limbic structures and reduced 5-HTP synthesis in limbic structures and striatum. In hypoxia, the drug considerably curtailed DOPA synthesis in limbic structures and striatum but had no effect on synthesis rate in cortex. The drug also appeared to exaggerate the generalized reduction in 5-HTP synthesis observed under 70% N2O. In hypercapnia, diazepam reduced the enhanced rate of DOPA synthesis (observed under 70% N2O) in striatum but left that in the cortex unchanged. The drug prevented the hypercapnia-induced increase in 5-HTP synthesis, observed under 70% N2O. It is concluded that diazepam significantly alters dopamine and serotonin synthesis in hypoxia and hypercapnia. Probably an indirect action, perhaps related to the stress-alleviating effect of diazepam, is involved. The results suggest that the effect of the drug on cerebral metabolic rate and blood flow in hypoxia and hypercapnia is unrelated to changes in noradrenaline synthesis or turnover. Furthermore, although the results demonstrate that diazepam modulates dopamine metabolism in hypoxia and hypercapnia it seems questionable that this influence can explain the metabolic and circulatory effects of diazepam in these conditions.

Effect of indomethacin on local cerebral blood flow in awake, minimally restrained rats

The effect of indomethacin (10 mg kg-1) on local CBF (1-CBF) was studied with autoradiographic techniques in awake, minimally restrained rats. When compared with uninjected awake control animals, those given indomethacin showed a reduction of 1-CBF by 25-45%. This reduction is somewhat less pronounced than that previously obtained in paralyzed animals maintained on 70% N2O (a reduction by 30-60%). An enhancement of the indomethacin response during nitrous oxide anesthesia was mainly observed in structures which show a maintained or increased CBF during anesthesia.

Blood flow and metabolism in heterotopic cerebellar grafts during hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia-induced disturbances of brain metabolism and neuronal injury exhibit a distinct predilection for forebrain structures, in particular the caudate-putamen, hippocampus and cerebral cortex, whereas the cerebellum is remarkably resistant. In an attempt to assess the biological basis of this differential regional vulnerability, we have used a neural transplantation technique to compare hemodynamic and metabolic changes in cerebellum during severe hypoglycemia with those in heterotopic cerebellar grafts. To this end, the cerebellar anlage of fetal rat brain (day 15 of gestation) was stereotactically transplanted into the vulnerable caudate-putamen. Following a differentiation period of 8 weeks the grafts had developed into an organotypic population of mature cells with laminar histoarchitecture. Host animals were then subjected to insulin-induced hypoglycemia. After 15 min of isoelectric EEG, blood flow was increased throughout the brain but residual glucose consumption was significantly higher in cerebellum (0.29 mumol/g per min) and cerebellar grafts (0.22 mumol/g per min) as a result of increased glucose extraction. Hypoglycemia caused a depletion of ATP in all brain structures except cerebellum where normal levels were maintained. Correlation of local ATP content and glucose utilization revealed a threshold-like decline of ATP at a glucose utilization rate of 0.27 mumol/g per min. ATP, in consequence, was normal in cerebellum but partially depleted in cerebellar grafts. It is concluded that the resistance of cerebellum to hypoglycemia is due to its capacity for higher glucose extraction at low blood glucose levels, and that this unique intrinsic property is preserved after heterotopic transplantation.