[Cerebral glucose consumption. The effect of Ginkgo biloba extract]

Deoxyglucose is transported under the same conditions as glucose from blood to cerebral tissue. Deoxyglucose-6-phosphate, which cannot be neither metabolized nor eliminated, accumulates in cells. This accumulation is correlated with glucose consumption. In this study, two parameters, transfer rate of deoxyglucose and glucose consumption were measured by means of quantitative autoradiography in two experimental models: normobaric hypoxia and carotid clamping in rats. Normobaric hypoxia induced a decrease in both transfer rate and glucose consumption. Ligature of the carotid artery induced a diminution of glucose consumption greater than that of transfer rate. After administration of Ginkgo biloba extract, glucose consumption was partly reestablished in both experimental models, but the transfer rate of deoxyglucose was increased only in normobaric hypoxia.