[Fundamental problems and improved methods in the measurement of specific gravity of cerebral tissues. (author's transl)].

Gravimetric determination of brain tissue water content through the measurement of specific gravity (SG) still poses some basic problems. We have studied some of them with the aid of a new gradient column. Using a specially designed conical cylinder to distribute the solution in a graded manner, and a floating apparatus, a gradient column was automatically prepared with a high linearity (r greater than 0.99990). Analysis of equilibration time-course curves of cat brain tissue fragments with various sizes showed that it was more accurate to use volumes as large as 50 mg, and to measure as early as one minute after tissue insertion. In normal brain, SG of grey matter was usually higher than that of white matter. In contrast, in a brain with oligemia or with low hemoglobin contents of blood, this relationship was reversed. Thus, SG can be influenced not only by water content, but also by other factors. As SG of blood is higher than that of brain tissue, cerebral blood volume (CBV) is of particular interest. Assuming the total brain volume as equal to 1, CBV and volume of brain proper excluding intravascular blood can be expressed as x and 1-x respectively. In a given brain tissue, SG of blood or perfusate a, and SG of whole brain tissue A can be measured. If SG of brain proper is expressed as y, the following equation can be introduced: ax + y(1-x)=A. If a and A are obtained from two different brains under the condition of constant CBV, x, 1-x and y can be calculated. For this purpose, values from normal brain and those from perfused brain with isotonic saline were applied. The calculated CBV was 7% in the grey and 3% in the white. SG of brain proper was as low as 0.002 in the grey and 0.001 in the white as compared to that of whole brain tissue. When these values are applied to the equation of percent change in tissue volume as water = (SG of control tissue-1)-(SG of experimental tissue-1)/(SG of experimental tissue-1) x 100%, the false positive increase of water in a completely ischemic brain without edema is approximately 4% in the grey and 2% in the white. Then, care should be taken in the assessment of water increase from SG, particularly in the early stage of ischemic edema.