The metabolism and glutamic acid content of rat brain in relation to thiopentone anaesthesia

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Abstract
The free glutamic acid content of rat brain estimated after decapitation is reduced in animals anesthetized with thiopentone. The glutamine content of the brain is slightly increased in anesthetized rats, but this accounts for only part of the fall in the glutamic acid level. Maintenance of the body temp. of the rats during narcosis decreases the amt. by which the glutamic acid level in the brain is reduced. The glutamine and glutamic acid levels in the rat brain are not significantly changed from the normal values by alteration of the environmental temp. or by electrical stimulation of the brain. The inhibition of the respiration of minced rat brain tissue by low concns. of thiopentone has been measured. Thiopentone anaesthesia reduces the level of free ammonia found in the rat brain. Adenylic deaminase present in brain extracts is slightly poisoned by 0.04% thiopentone, while glutaminase is unaffected.