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Biomedical subjects

D Bereczki

Publications and source records attributed to D Bereczki.

52 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The velocities of red cell and plasma flows through parenchymal microvessels of rat brain are decreased by pentobarbital.

Local cerebral blood flow is lowered in many brain areas of the rat by high-dose pentobarbital (50 mg/kg). In the present study, the mechanism of this flow change was examined by measuring the distribution of radiolabeled red blood cells (RBCs) and albumin (RISA) in small parenchymal microvessels and calculating the microvascular distribution spaces and mean transit times of RBCs, RISA, and blood. In most brain areas, pentobarbital slightly decreased the RISA space, modestly increased the RBC space, and did not alter the blood space. The mean transit times of RBCs, RISA, and blood through the perfused microvessels were considerably greater in treated rats than in controls. These findings indicate that the mechanism by which high-dose pentobarbital diminishes local cerebral blood flow in rat brain is, in the main, a lowered linear velocity of plasma and RBC flow through small parenchymal microvessels and not decreased percentage of perfused capillaries (capillary retirement). This response is probably driven mainly by lowered local metabolism and may well entail a slight increase in the number of small microvessels that are perfused by RBCs.

Animals↗

Hypercapnia slightly raises blood volume and sizably elevates flow velocity in brain microvessels.

The increase in local cerebral blood flow (LCBF) caused by hypercapnia may be mainly accomplished by raising the velocity of plasma and/or red blood cell (RBC) flow through the microvessels and not by perfusing more capillaries. This suggestion was tested in awake rats exposed to 8% CO2 and in control rats. LCBF was measured by the 14C-labeled iodoantipyrine method. The volume of blood in small parenchymal microvessels was estimated from the distribution spaces of 125I-labeled serum albumin (RISA) and 55Fe-labeled RBCs. Hypercapnia elevated LCBF 2.0- to 3.5-fold in the 40 brain areas studied, marginally raised the RBC spaces, and significantly increased the RISA and whole blood distribution spaces (approximately 25 and 19%, respectively). These changes in microvessel distribution volumes could be the result of perfusing a slightly larger fraction of capillaries (recruitment), increasing microvessel diameter somewhat, or both. With hypercapnia, the mean transit times fell to approximately 45% of control, which indicated that LCBF was mainly increased by raising the velocity of RBC and plasma flow through already perfused microvessels. Overall, few, if any, capillaries or other microvessels were recruited by hypercapnia.

Animals↗

Nicotine increases microvascular blood flow and flow velocity in three groups of brain areas.

To examine the mechanism of local cerebral blood flow (LCBF) elevation, nicotine (1.75 mg/kg sc) was administered to rats, and LCBF plus the distribution spaces of radiolabeled albumin (RISA) and red blood cells (RBC) in parenchymal microvessels were measured throughout the brain. Microvascular blood spaces and transit times were calculated from the data. From 1.5 to 3 min after nicotine administration, LCBF was raised by 40-150% in 16 of the brain areas and unaltered in the remaining 28 areas. The affected structures included parts of the visual-auditory, sensorimotor-cortical, and interpeduncular systems. RBC spaces were not changed by nicotine treatment. RISA and blood spaces were increased slightly but not significantly in some of the LCBF-affected areas but nowhere else. Nicotine seemingly elevates LCBF in the affected areas mainly by increasing linear velocity of flow through the microvascular beds. In agreement with this, mean transit time, which is inversely related to velocity, was decreased from 0.3-0.5 to approximately 0.2 s in the microvascular systems of the nicotine-affected areas.

Animals↗

A modified model of reversible middle cerebral artery embolization in rats without craniectomy.

A detailed description is given of a new model of reversible focal cerebral ischaemia in rats. A spherical embolus, attached to the end of an 8-0 surgical thread was injected into the middle cerebral artery (MCA) via the external and internal carotid arteries (ECA and ICA) and could be withdrawn by pulling the extravascular portion of the thread when reperfusion was to follow ischaemia. In contrast to similar techniques, the 8-0 thread did not block blood flow in either the common carotid artery (CCA) or the ICA during ischaemia and, as the CCA did not have to be ligated, flow could be restored via the ipsilateral CCA and ICA after the ischaemic period. Neurological deficit, mortality rate, tissue water content, regional pH, ATP and, in some experiments, electroencephalogram (EEG) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) were evaluated in ischaemia and after various length of reperfusion. The overall mortality rate was 21%; all these animals were lost in the first hours of recirculation. The water content of their brains differed significantly from those who survived 24 hours (81 and 77% respectively). A significant difference in CBF of the ipsi- and contralateral putamen was found immediately after embolization (a CBF decrease of 26 +/- 5 and 5 +/- 5 ml/100 g/min, respectively), and relative hyperperfusion (+23 +/- 27 ml/100 g/min) was observed in the ipsilateral putamen during reperfusion. EEG amplitude declined on both the affected and non-affected sides after embolization (to 54 +/- 8% and 71 +/- 6% of pre-ischaemic values) and remained decreased (66 +/- 8% of control) on the ipsilateral side after 1 hour of reperfusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Technique-dependent variations in cerebral microvessel blood volumes and hematocrits in the rat.

To quantitate small parenchymal microvessel blood volumes in the brain, the distribution spaces of radiolabeled red blood cells (RBC) and serum albumin (RISA) were assessed in rats by different methods of tissue sampling and radioassay. Three minutes after intravenous administration of 55Fe-RBCs and/or 125I-RISA, the rats were decapitated. The brain was either immediately frozen within the skull and later removed (head-frozen group) or rapidly removed from the skull and then frozen (brain-frozen group). Radioactivity was measured either by liquid scintillation counting of tissue pieces, which contained pial plus large and small parenchymal microvessels, or by quantitative autoradiography (QAR) of tissue sections, which indicated small parenchymal microvessel blood only. In 12 of 15 areas, the RISA, RBC, and blood volumes determined by liquid scintillation counting of head-frozen tissue pieces were equal to or greater than those of brain-frozen tissue; this indicated less than or equal to 25% greater blood retention in pial and parenchymal microvessels with head freezing. At the parenchymal microvessel level (QAR assay), the distribution volumes of RBCs, RISA, and blood were similar with the two freezing techniques; hence with QAR either freezing procedure can be used to assess small parenchymal microvessel blood volumes.

Animals↗

Polyamine metabolism in transient focal ischemia of rat brain.

Polyamine metabolism was studied in rat brains subjected to 30 min transient cerebral ischemia by measuring the activity of the key enzyme ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and levels of the polyamines putrescine, spermidine and spermine. A transient increase in ODC activity was apparent after 4 h of recirculation in the ipsilateral cortex and striatum (P less than 0.05). Putrescine levels were significantly increased in the ipsilateral striatum after 4 h of recirculation, and after 24 h of recirculation in both the ipsilateral cortex and striatum. During ischemia spermidine levels were significantly reduced in the ipsilateral hemisphere and spermine levels in the ipsilateral cortex. It is suggested that during ischemia polyamines are released from neurons into the extracellular compartment and cleared into the blood.

Animals↗

Functional variations in parenchymal microvascular systems within the brain.

Variations in microvascular system functions were observed among a number of brain areas. The rates of local blood flow varied 18-fold among areas and were extremely high in neuroendocrine structures. Marked differences in blood flow were also found within some brain structures. The volume of radiolabeled blood in perfused parenchymal microvessels ranged from 5 to 70 microliters/g and correlated closely with local cerebral blood flow. The hematocrits within parenchymal microvessels were 45-75% of the arterial hematocrit, which indicates that red cells more rapidly traverse brain microvessels than do plasma proteins. The mean transit times of blood through parenchymal microvessels were extremely short and ranged from 0.3 to 0.6 s.

Animals↗

Pentobarbital produces dissimilar changes in glucose influx and utilization in brain.

The effects of pentobarbital sodium on local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU) and 3-O-methylglucose (3-MG) influx were measured by quantitative autoradiography in 52 brain areas of control and treated rats. Pentobarbital (50 mg/kg ip) lowered LCGU to a relatively uniform rate (approximately 35 mumol.100 g-1.min-1) in 24 of 25 forebrain areas. Among the 18 hindbrain areas, LCGU was decreased by pentobarbital by 15-55% (range 50-157 and 28-110 mumol.100 g-1.min-1 in control and treated rats, respectively). In contrast, pentobarbital lowered the 3-MG influx rate constant and permeability-surface area product by 20-30% in nearly all brain structures. The 3-MG results fit a model in which both the half-saturation constant and the maximal velocity of the glucose carrier are decreased by pentobarbital. After pentobarbital treatment, the ratio of local cerebral plasma flow (LCPF) to LCGU was the same as in controls for brain areas in which LCGU was less than 35 mumol.100 g-1.min-1 but was higher in brain areas where LCGU exceeded 35 mumol.100 g-1.min-1. Pentobarbital produced dissimilar changes in LCGU, 3-MG influx, and LCPF; these processes may thus not be closely linked during pentobarbital anesthesia.

3-O-Methylglucose↗

[Significance of computer analysis of dynamic brain scintigraphy in patients with cerebrovascular disorders].

Dynamic cerebral scintigraphy was performed on 41 patients with cerebrovascular disease. The diagnostic value of parametric images formed by a computer was correlated to angiographic findings and clinical sings, respectively. Having the appropriate software these examinations can be performed with traditional gamma-cameras. Analysis of parametric pictures increases the reliability of the method. Analysis of cinematic display of serial images had the highest sensitivity and accuracy, while time-of-maximum pictures had the highest specificity. In departments, where digitized subtraction angiography, single photon emission computed tomography or positron emission tomography is not available, the non invasive dynamic brain scintigraphy is a useful screening method, its application is proposed by the authors.

Adolescent↗

Electrophysiological changes in the feline brain during 45 minutes occlusion and 3 hours recirculation of the middle cerebral artery.

The electrophysiological effects of unilateral MCA occlusion for 45 minutes and subsequent recirculation for 3 hours were studied in cats. EEG, steady (DC) potentials, tissue available O2 were measured and metabolic changes were studied. Computed EEG analysis was carried out off line, changes in frequency index and total intensity were analyzed and compared to regional metabolic alterations. It is concluded that: 1. Exenteration of the orbita results in significant and long lasting changes of the EEG, so, a less traumatic method of focal ischemia should be elaborated. 2. Changes in EEG (intensity or frequency content) caused by 45 min MCA occlusion seldom exhibit complete restitution by the end of a 3 hours long recirculation period. 3. Diaschisis can often be detected in this focal ischemic model by computed EEG evaluation. 4. Severe electrophysiological alterations after recirculation usually reflected extended metabolic damage. Mild EEG disturbances can cover both biochemically intact or slightly injured brain tissue.

Animals↗

The vulnerability of gerbils to focal cerebral ischemia. Neurological signs and regional biochemical changes after ischemia and recirculation.

Gerbils of both sexes were used to study the effects of 30-min ischemia and subsequent recirculation for 4 and 8 days. The mortality rate was 9% during ischemia and 34% in the recirculation period. No close correlation was found between the extent of metabolic changes and the severity of clinical signs after ischemia. Gerbils exhibited severe clinical signs with metabolic patterns of severe hypoxic damage, but with only slight biochemical changes as well, stressing the necessity of detailed examination in regional metabolic studies. According to planimetrical evaluation the most sensitive indicator of ischemic damage was alteration in pH. Decrease in pH without changes in ATP and NADH was associated with severe clinical signs. Biochemical changes were demonstrated after recirculation in some gerbils having severe clinical signs at the end of the ischemic period. The changes in pH and potassium found 8 days after the ischemic insult stress that a 30-min focal ischemia might have long lasting, perhaps irreversible consequences.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Glucose concentration gradient through the cerebral cortex in normoglycaemic anaesthetized rabbits.

In this pilot study, the relationships between glucose and lactate concentrations of plasma, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), cerebral cortex and subjacent white matter were investigated in one hyperglycaemic and three normoglycaemic anaesthetized rabbits. After a 90 min stabilization period, CSF was sampled and the brain frozen in situ. Triplet samples (n = 3 X 21) were obtained from the outer and inner halves of cortex and from the white substance and analysed for their water content as well as for glucose and lactate by enzymatic fluorescence methods. Preservation of the ATP content was demonstrated in brain slices by a bioluminescence method. The glucose and lactate levels of CSF seemed to reflect those of the outer half of the cortex. In the normoglycaemic animals, the tissue glucose and tissue lactate levels correlated inversely (r = 0.477: p less than 0.01). While the glucose concentrations were nearly identical in the inner cortex and white substance, there was a concentration difference of 0.54 mmol/kg tissue water between the outer half of the cortex and the white matter (p much less than 0.02). This might correspond to a steep intra-cortical glucose gradient starting from the CSF-facing surface and approximating the general cerebral glucose level in a depth of about 4-500 microns. The possible significance of this gradient in regulating CSF glucose is discussed.

Anesthesia, General↗

Hypometabolism in the limbic system of cancer patients observed by positron emission tomography.

Brain images obtained by a positron emission tomography with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose from 19 pretreatment cancer patients with variable cancers except brain cancers were compared with those from 17 inpatients with benign diseases. Relative reduction in regional cerebral metabolism of glucose was found mainly in the limbic structures including the bilateral orbitofrontal cortex, lateral frontal cortex, cingulate gyrus, thalamus, hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus, insulae, and basal ganglia. The regional metabolism tended to be low in the patients who had severe pains which required opiates and morphines, and tended to be preserved in the patients who were already disclosed of their malignancy based on previous studies such as biopsy. Our findings would support that psychological deficits in cancer patients are associated with abnormalities in regional brain metabolism in the limbic system.

Aged↗

Screening for depressive symptoms in the acute phase of stroke.

Depressive symptoms can often be observed after stroke. We prospectively evaluated patients at a stroke unit in order to determine the occurrence and severity of depressive symptoms in the acute phase of stroke in 82 patients 7 +/- 2 days after admission to the stroke unit. Severity of stroke was evaluated by the Scandinavian and Orgogozo scales and the Barthel index. Severity of depressive symptoms was measured by the 13-item Beck scale. Mean age of the patients was 65.8 years. No gender difference was observed in the severity of stroke or depressive symptoms. DSM-IV criteria of adjustment disorder with depressed mood were fulfilled by 27% of the patients. In this group, stroke was significantly more severe by the Barthel, Orgogozo, and Scandinavian scales (p < 0.001). Whereas Beck score was at least 10 in 19.5%, severe depressive symptoms (Beck score > or = 15) occurred in less than 5% of patients with acute stroke. Those who could not walk by themselves or who were aphasic had significantly higher mean Beck scores (6.3 +/- 5.1 vs 2.4 +/- 3.1, p < 0.001, and 7.0 +/- 5.8 vs 3.4 +/- 3.9, p = 0.002). Significant correlation was found between the severity of stroke and that of the depressive symptoms (r = -0.56, -0.58, and -0.54 for the Scandinavian, Orgogozo, and Barthel scales, p < 0.001).

Activities of Daily Living↗

Cerebrovascular reactivity and reserve capacity in type II diabetes mellitus.

The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that cerebrovascular reserve capacity and cerebrovascular reactivity are impaired in patients suffering from non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. We also intended to investigate factors which may influence resting cerebral blood flow velocity and cerebrovascular reserve capacity. A total of 28 patients suffering from type II diabetes mellitus and 20 healthy control subjects were studied. Based on diabetes duration patients were divided into two groups: subjects with > 10 years and those with < or = 10 years disease duration. Middle cerebral artery mean blood flow velocities were measured at rest and after intravenous administration of 1g acetazolamide. Cerebrovascular reactivity and reserve capacity were calculated. Blood glucose, insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin, hemostatic factors (fibrinogen, alpha-2 macroglobulin and von Willebrand factor antigen) were determined. Cerebrovascular reactivity and reserve capacity values were compared between the two diabetic subgroups and controls. Correlations between laboratory parameters and cerebrovascular reserve were investigated by linear regression analysis. Resting cerebral blood flow velocity was similar in controls and in the two diabetic subgroups. Cerebrovascular reactivity was elevated for a shorter time in patients with > 10 years disease duration than in controls and short-term diabetic patients. Cerebrovascular reserve capacity was lower in the long-term diabetes group (means +/- SD: 39.6 +/- 20.7%) than in patients with < or = 10 years disease duration (63.3 +/- 17.4%, p < 0.02 after Bonferroni correction). Cerebrovascular reserve capacity was inversely related to the duration of the disease (R = 0.53, p < 0.003). None of the determined laboratory factors had any relation with resting cerebral blood flow and cerebrovascular reserve capacity. The vasodilatory ability of cerebral arterioles is diminished in long-standing type II diabetes mellitus.

Aged↗

Cations of cisternal cerebrospinal fluid in humans and the effect of different doses of nimodipine on CSF calcium after stroke.

Cisternal samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were analyzed for protein, albumin, sodium (Na), potassium (K), and calcium (Ca) content in 21 control subjects and 64 patients who had experienced acute stroke. A second cisternal CSF sample was taken in 37 of the stroke patients after 2-3 weeks treatment with the calcium antagonist nimodipine. Increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier was reflected by the significantly higher CSF/serum ratio of albumin in stroke patients than in control subjects (0.0046 vs. 0.0028,p = 0.0012). Serum and CSF concentrations of Na, K, and Ca did not differ between control subjects and stroke patients. In control subjects and in stroke patients, concentration of calcium in cisternal CSF ([Ca]) was smaller than values reported by others in lumbar samples. In stroke patients, the pH of CSF was lower than that of simultaneously taken blood (7.38 vs. 7.44, p < 0.001). No differences between stroke patients and control subjects were found for the cisternal CSF/serum ratios of Na (1.0 and 0.99), K (0.61 and 0.63), and Ca (0.25 and 0.24). When patients and controls were pooled together, CSF total [Ca] correlated weakly with serum total [Ca] (Spearman r = 0.28, p = 0.014) and with serum ionized [Ca] (Spearman r = 0.27, p = 0.016). After 2-3 weeks of nimodipine treatment, CSF [Ca] was significantly lower in the subgroup treated with 60 mg nimodipine four times daily (240 mg/d) than with 30 mg four times daily. A nimodipine dosage of 30 mg four times daily (120 mg/d) did not affect CSF [Ca]. A 240 mg daily dosage, but not a 120 mg daily dosage, of nimodipine may affect the Ca transport system in humans at the choroid plexus.

Acute Disease↗