A model for detecting early metabolic changes in neonatal asphyxia by 1H-MRS.

In newborn rabbits, the early cerebral metabolic changes caused by hypoxic-ischemic (H-I) insult was examined by using volume localized 1H-MRS (STEAM). Partial ischemia was caused by unilateral carotid artery ligation, and hypoxia was induced by 10% oxygen inspiration for 150 minutes. Lactate immediately increased after hypoxia induction and almost disappeared 120 to 150 minutes after removal of hypoxia in both H-I and hypoxia-only experiments. Lactate production correlated well with decrease of the blood oxygen saturation. More lactate was produced on ischemic side 50 minutes post-hypoxia induction in H-I study. Ischemia alone did not cause any significant lactate production. Lactate caused by hypoxia can be dynamically monitored by localized 1H-MRS. Existence of regional ischemia can induce greater anaerobic glycolysis and may affect the pattern of brain injury under hypoxia. 1H-MRS is a sensitive tool to detect the acute metabolic change caused by H-I insult.