Additive effects of hypothermia and phenobarbitol upon cerebral oxygen consumption in the rat

The quantitative effects of a combination of hypothermia and phenobarbital on cerebral oxygen uptake (CMRo2) was studied in rats, curarized and artificially ventilated with 70% nitrous oxide in oxygen. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured with a modification of the KETY & SCHMIDT (1948) technique, using 133xenon as a tracer. Arteriovenous difference in oxygen content over the brain was measured and CMRo2 was calculated. Four groups were studied. Group 1 was a control group. The three experimental groups were injected with phenobarbital intraperitoneally: Group 2 with 50 mg/kg body weight; Group 3 with 150 mg/kg; and Group 4 with 50 mg/kg of phenobarbital, and, in addition, body temperature was lowered to 32 degrees C in this group. CMRo2 in groups 2, 3 and 4 was reduced by 22, 37 and 43%, respectively, compared to Group 1. The changes in CBF were of the same magnitude. In a previous study we have found that CMRo2 decreases by 5% per 1 degree C decrease in body temperature. The value for CMRo2 in Group 4 is close to the value obtained if the effect of 50 mg/kg body weight of phenobarbital on CMRo2 is added to the effect of a temperature reduction of 5 degrees C. It is concluded that the effects of barbiturates and hypothermia on CMRo2 are additive.