Carbon monoxide-induced localized toxic anoxia in the rat brain cortex.

A new method has been developed for the determination of maximal reduction of NAD in the rat cerebral cortex. NADH fluorescence (450 nm) induced by 366-nm light and UV reflectance were measured by a time-sharing light pipe fluorometer. The redox state of the cortical surface was altered by perfusion of oxygen or carbon monoxide through a Teflon chamber adjacent to the dura. This study examines changes caused by local perfusion with the two gases in normoxia, hypoxia, and anoxia. Alternation of topical carbon monoxide and oxygen becomes effective in altering the intracellular redox state at 15% inspired oxygen and caused 20% changes at zero inspired oxygen. Conversely, topical application of oxygen to the systemically anoxic tissue causes oxidation of reduced NAPH in the cells within the field of fluorometric observation equivalent to that caused by breathing approximately 8% oxygen systemically.