VARIATIONS OF CORTICAL REDOX POTENTIAL IN THE COURSE PENTOBARBITAL-ANESTHESIA IN RATS

The effect of the pentobarbital anaesthesia (40 mg/kg) on the potentia l of the cortical redox state (E) recorded by implanted platinum elect rode was studied in male albino rats. A gradual decrease in the breath ing frequency induced by pentobarbital was accompanied by a gradual re duction of the redox potential by 30-80 mV, During the episodes with i ntermittent breathing there were additional decreases in redox potenti al by 30-80 mV against the background of which some rhythmical oscilla tions could be observed (the amplitude up to 25-30 mV, periods in 5-15 sec), The obtained data suggest that pentobarbital anaesthesia heavil y changes the redox state of the brain tissue and shifts the balance t o reducing state. Oscillations in redox potential against the backgrou nd of breathing interruptions seem to be the typical glycolitic oscill ations.