Local cerebral glucose utilization decreases after heatstroke onset in rats

The quantitative autoradiographic 2-[C-14]-deoxy-D-glucose methods were use d to assess the local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU) in 46 brain struc tures in rats suffering from heatstroke. Heatstroke was induced by exposing the animals to an ambient temperature of 42 degreesC. The time at which th e local cerebral blood flow (CBF) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) decrease d from their peak levels was taken as the onset of heatstroke. Control rats were exposed to a temperature of 24 degreesC. The values of local CBF, MAP and means of total LCGU after heatstroke onset were all significantly lowe r than those in control rats. However, the values of colonic temperature we re greater. Thus, it appears that the decreased cerebral metabolism and per fusion can be due to secondary effect of hypertension after heatstroke onse t. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.