Influence of glucose supply and demand on determination of brain glucose content with labeled methylglucose

The equilibrium brain/plasma distribution ratio for 3-0-methyl-D-glucose (methylglucose) varies with plasma and tissue glucose contents and can be used to determine local glucose levels in brain. This ratio was previously found to rise as brain glucose concentration fell in response to lowered plasma glucose content. The ratios, however, differed with the same tissue glucose levels in conscious and pentobarbital-sedated rats, suggesting that changes in metabolic demand might alter the quantitative relationship between the methylglucose distribution ratio and brain glucose concentration. To examine this possibility, metabolic rate was varied by focal drug application, and hexose concentrations measured in treated and surrounding tissue. When tissue glucose levels were reduced by raised metabolic demand, methylglucose distribution ratios also fell. When brain glucose levels rose due to reduced consumption, the methylglucose distribution ratio also rose. Thus, in contrast to the inverse relationship between brain/plasma methylglucose ratio and brain glucose concentration when brain glucose content is altered secondarily to changes in plasma glucose level, changes in brain glucose content induced by altered glucose utilization cause the brain glucose level and methylglucose distribution ratio to rise and fall in a direct relationship. Determination of brain glucose content from methylglucose distribution ratios must take into account rates of glucose delivery and consumption.