6533b835fe1ef96bd129ec96

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Suitability of the isolated perfused rat brain for studying effects on cerebral metabolism

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description

The concentrations of P-creatine, creatine, ATP, ADP, AMP, glycogen, glucose, glucose-6-P, fructose diphosphate, dihydroxyacetone-P, α-glycero-P, lactate and pyruvate were measured in the isolated perfused rat brain as well as in rat brain in vivo. Similar levels were observed in the isolated brain and in intact animals, and the values measured were in good accordance with those described in the literature. Only the pyruvate and lactate content were significantly higher in the isolated brain but the lactate/pyruvate ratio remained unchanged. An anesthetic or ischemia caused just the same effects on energy metabolism of the isolated rat brain as described for intact animals. Thus, 1.5 mM phenobarbital in the perfusion medium produced a statistically significant increase in P-creatine and glucose levels as well as a decrease of pyruvate, lactate and α-glycero-P levels. After ischemia of the isolated brain the concentrations of high-energy phosphates, glycogen, glucose, and pyruvate fell considerably concomitantly with significant accumulations of creatine, AMP, α-glycero-P and lactate. The results indicate that the isolated perfused rat brain may be a useful tool for studying cerebral metabolism.