Susann Boretius1, 2, Roland Tammer1, 3, Thomas Michaelis1, Jens Frahm1, 3
1Biomedizinische NMR Forschungs GmbH, Max-Planck-Institut fr biophysikalische Chemie, Gttingen, Germany; 2Klinik fr Diagnostische Radiologie, Universittsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany; 3DFG Center of Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CMPB), Gttingen, Germany
It is largely unknown how the brain metabolism is modified by volatile anesthetic agents like isoflurane in intact living organisms. Localized proton MRS in mice revealed a major increase of lactate and alanine by isoflurane. Further analysis of this phenomenon also revealed significantly increased GABA, choline containing compounds, and myo-Inositol. Glutamate initially increased but then decreased under constant isoflurane. Isoflurane effects were attenuated by suppression of the adrenergic nervous system and amplified by adrenergic stimulators. Apparently, MRS has a great potential of new insights into anesthesia. Brain studies using isoflurane anesthesia must take these metabolic changes into consideration.