A model for detecting early metabolic changes in neonatal asphyxia by 1H‐MRS

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Abstract
In newborn rabbits, the early cerebral metabolic changes caused by hypoxic‐ischemic (H‐I) insult was examined by using volume localized 1H‐MRS (STEAM). Partial ischemia was caused by unilateral carotid artery ligation, and hypoxia was induced by 10% oxygen inspiration for 150 minutes. Lactate immediately increased after hypoxia induction and almost disappeared 120 to 150 minutes after removal of hypoxia in both H‐I and hypoxia‐only experiments. Lactate production correlated well with decrease of the blood oxygen saturation. More lactate was produced on ischemic side 50 minutes post‐hypoxia induction in H‐I study. Ischemia alone did not cause any significant lactate production. Lactate caused by hypoxia can be dynamically monitored by localized 1H‐MRS. Existence of regional ischemia can induce greater anaerobic glycolysis and may affect the pattern of brain injury under hypoxia. 1H‐MRS is a sensitive tool to detect the acute metabolic changes caused by H‐I insult.