Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026
08:27
The Application Of Permanent Middle Cerebral Artery Ligation in the Mouse
Published on: July 25, 2011
Compartmentation of acid-base balance in brain during complete ischemia
F Plum1, R P Kraig, W A Pulsinelli
1Department of Neurology, Cornell University Medical Center, New York, NY 10021.
Neurochemical Pathology
|July 1, 1988
Summary
High brain lactate during hyperglycemia contributes to severe brain damage. Unequal distribution of lactate and related molecules between brain cells may cause cell death in ischemia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Hyperglycemic brain ischemia leads to significantly elevated brain lactate levels.
- Elevated lactate is associated with severe brain infarction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution of lactate, H+, and HCO3- in the brain during hyperglycemic ischemia.
- To explore the role of compartmentalization in cell death during ischemic events.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of extracellular pH (pHo).
- Measurement of partial pressure of carbon dioxide (Pt(CO2)).
- Quantification of total brain lactate.
Main Results:
- Brain lactate levels exceed 16-18 mmol/K in near-complete hyperglycemic brain ischemia.
- H+, HCO3-, and lactate show unequal distribution between cellular and interstitial spaces.
- Unequal distribution may occur even between different brain cell types.
Conclusions:
- Compartmentalization of ions and lactate occurs during hyperglycemic brain ischemia.
- This unequal distribution is a potential factor contributing to cell death in brain ischemia.
