EFFECT OF DESOXYCORTICOSTERONE GLUCOSIDE UPON CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND METABOLISM OF HUMAN SUBJECTS 1

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Abstract
Because of the known effects of steroids on cerebral function, the authors measured cerebral blood flow and metabolism (O2, CO2, and sugar) in human subjects of normal or steroid-deficient status. Detns. were made, using the nitrous oxide technic of Kety and Schmidt, in 15 patients, of whom 3 had primary testicular hypogonadism and 4 had hypogonadism secondary to pituitary tumor. Following a control detn., a second study was made immediately following the intraven. admn. of 50 mg. of desoxycorticosterone glucoside (DCG) and this resulted in liberation of sugar from the brain, for the most part, apparently, galactose. A small but significant increase in arterial glucose concn. was also produced. The cerebral metabolic rate was diminished following DCG in all but one ortho-steroidal subject, but increased slightly or remained constant in all hypo-steroidal subjects. Mean arterial blood pressure, cardiac rate, and rate of cerebral blood flow were not altered by DCG.