Topographic analysis of the redox state of rat brain by NADH fluorescence photography of cross sections.

Two-dimensional changes of the redox level of NADH were measured by fluorescence photography with the aid of computer-processing in cross sections of rat brain that had been frozen in situ in liquid nitrogen. Structure-related heterogeneity was noted in the distribution of the redox level in normal brain of conscious rats. Using 2-deoxy-[14C]glucose autoradiography, the area showing relatively high NADH fluorescence was found to be the area of high glucose utilization. Quantitatively, however, the fluorescence intensity did not parallel the rate of glucose uptake. Increase of NADH fluorescence was observed specifically in the nucleus caudatus putamen and the thalamus when the rats were anesthetized with pentobarbital. Chemical determination of the NADH content was also performed simultaneously, and the results were consistent with those obtained by fluorescence photography.