Cerebral blood flow and metabolism during repeated asphyxias in newborn piglets: influence of theophylline.

The effect of theophylline on cerebral blood flow (CBF), oxygen transport, and energy metabolism was investigated during and following brief episodes of asphyxia. CBF was determined by microspheres during control, asphyxia, and recovery with reventilation after a single asphyxia (recovery I) and after 7 repeated asphyxias (recovery II). In addition, cerebral energy metabolism by 31P NMR spectroscopy and cerebral oxygen consumption (CMRO2) in newborn piglets treated with 30 mg/kg theophylline (serum levels 22-25 micrograms/ml) were compared with nontreated piglets. Theophylline increased CMRO2 during recovery I (348 mumol O2/min/100 g vs. 144 for non-theophylline) but not during control, asphyxia, or recovery II. There was no significant difference between the theophylline and non-theophylline groups in depletion of phosphoenergetics as measured by 31P NMR.