[Changes in the oxidation-reduction potential of the rat brain during nembutal anesthesia]

The effect of the pentobarbital anaesthesia (40 mg/kg) on the potential of the cortical redox state (E) recorded by implanted platinum electrode was studied in male albino rats. A gradual decrease in the breathing frequency induced by pentobarbital was accompanied by a gradual reduction of the redox potential by 30-80 mV. During the episodes with intermittent breathing there were additional decreases in redox potential by 30-80 mV against the background of which some rhythmical oscillations could be observed (the amplitude up to 25-30 mV, periods in 5-15 sec). The obtained data suggest that pentobarbital anaesthesia heavily changes the redox state of the brain tissue and shifts the balance to reducing state. Oscillations in redox potential against the background of breathing interruptions seem to be the typical glycolytic oscillations.