Abstract

The energy charge potential of the cerebral adenylate system, the cerebral lactate: pyruvate system, and the cerebral glycogen level were used to characterize the cerebral energy state of the brain. Cerebral adenyl cyclase activity and cyclic AMP concentrations were investigated to evaluate their possible influence on the regulatory processes in brain metabolism. These biochemical parameters were evaluated on the cortical motor area of the brain of the beagle dog in hypovolaemic hypotension during acute hypoxia (obtained by altering the composition of the inhalation mixture) and during the post-hypoxic recovery (three minutes after the restoration of normal ventilation). This experimental model of acute hypoxia was also used for investigating the action of some substances acting at beta-adrenergic receptor level or at vascular level. The substances were perfused into the carotid artery at the rate of 0.5 ml/min for three to six minutes. During the first stage of hypoxia, the adenyl cyclase system is probably an important biochemical regulatory factor. This system becomes less important when a critical threshold is crossed (oxygen arterial partial pressure less than 25-20 mmHg) below which other factors become rate-limiting. A beta-receptor stimulating agent enhanced the mechanisms of physiological post-hypoxic recovery; inhibition of this action was obtained with a beta-receptor blocking agent. Under these experimental conditions, no correlation existed between the vascular effects of the agents and brain metabolism.