Effect of hypothermia during hypoxic hypotension on cerebral metabolism

The beneficial vs deleterious effects of hypothermia superimposed on hypoxia and hypotension have been argued and are clinically important. In this study, cerebral cytochrome a,a3 redox state and the quantity of intracerebral oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) were measured continuously and noninvasively in rats subjected to hemorrhagic hypotension (MAP = 30 mm Hg) and hypoxia (F1O2 = 7.5%) utilizing near infrared spectrophotometry. Prior to the experiment the rats were briefly respired on 100% oxygen to establish 100% oxidation of cytochrome a,a3 and hemoglobin, and at the conclusion of the experiment they were respired on 100% nitrogen to establish 100% reduction. Data are reported as percent oxidation within this range at baseline and after 15 and 30 min of hypoxic hypotension. Arterial blood gases were measured. Body temperature as monitored by a rectal probe was altered by placing anesthetized-paralyzed rats inside a circulating water jacket. Three groups of rats were studied: 38, 33, and 22 degrees C. Group III rats had a significantly (P less than 0.01) greater quantity of intracranial HbO2 than group I or II. Since MAP was held constant at 30 mm Hg, we assume this is largely due to the higher (P less than 0.01) arterial PO2 in group III (101.5) compared to group I and II (48.5, 51.3). Both groups II and III had a significantly (P less than 0.01) greater oxidation of cytochrome a,a3 indicating greater oxygen availability for a given metabolic rate. This was associated with improved survival inasmuch as all rats in groups II and III lived, and only one group I rat survived. It can be concluded that, as used in this study, hypothermia is beneficial and deserves further investigation.