title: Cerebrovascular and cerebral metabolic effects of N2O in unrestrained rats.
abstract: There is controversy about whether N2O increases cerebral blood flow and cortical oxygen consumption (CMRO2) in rats. Cortical and subcortical blood flow and CMRO2 were measured in awake, unrestrained rats while awake and during 70% N2O administration using radioactive microspheres. In the awake state, cortical and subcortical blood flow were 126 +/- 10 and 98 +/- 7 ml.100 g-1.min-1, respectively, and CMRO2 (cortical) was 10.0 +/- 0.6 ml O2.100 g-1.min-1 (mean +/- SE). After 15 min of 70% N2O, cortical and subcortical blood flow increased 100% and 40%, respectively, while CMRO2 did not increase significantly. Cerebral blood flow remained increased after 60 min of N2O exposure, and CMRO2 did not change. These results show that N2O produces cerebrovasodilation in rats that is not related to a change in metabolic demand. Plasma catecholamines do not change during N2O administration, indicating that the increase in blood flow is not due to a general stress response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60616.
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Baughman
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Miletich
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Albrecht
mesh_terms: D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D003243:Consciousness; D008297:Male; D008863:Microspheres; D009068:Movement; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D010100:Oxygen