Local cerebral glucose utilization rate following intermittent exposures to 2 atmosphere absolute oxygen

Previous studies have shown significant increases in regional cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (rCMRgl) in 14 of 28 investigated brain structures in rats exposed to 1-h oxygen at 2 atmosphere absolute (ATA O2). Continuous 4-h exposure to 2 ATA O2 resulted in significant increases only in superior olivary nucleus and inferior colliculus. In the present study, the rCMRgl was autoradiographically measured by the [14C]2-deoxyglucose technique during the last 30 min of 4 intermittent 1-h exposures to either 2 ATA O2 or air at atmospheric pressure, with 3 h of breathing air outside the pressure chamber between each oxygen or air exposure. Statistically significant reductions in rCMRgl of the oxygen-exposed rats were observed in superior olivary nucleus and inferior colliculus, while no changes were observed in 26 other investigated structures. The previously observed increases in rCMRgl in a single 1- or 4-h exposure at 2 ATA O2 were reduced or reversed during the intermittent hyperbaric oxygen exposure. The relation of the observed changes in rCMRgl during single and intermittent hyperbaric oxygen exposures to the extension of tolerance to hyperbaric oxygenation is discussed.