Validation of the triple-tracer autoradiographic method in rats.

We have developed a quantitative autoradiographic technique to measure simultaneously local cerebral blood flow, tissue pH, and local cerebral glucose utilization using 4-[18F]fluoroantipyrine, [14C]dimethyloxazolidine-2,5-dione, and 2-[3H]deoxyglucose as radioactive tracers. Our technique was validated by measurements of local cerebral blood flow, tissue pH, and local cerebral glucose utilization in the brains of sham-operated rats. Sham-operated rats showed a 14% reduction in local cerebral blood flow and a 10% reduction in local cerebral glucose utilization in the most affected piriform and entorhinal cortical regions compared with the contralateral homologous regions. There was no difference in tissue pH measured in the sham-operated side compared with normal rats or with the contralateral region.