Postischemic hypoxia improves metabolic and functional recovery of the spinal cord.

We studied the effect of graded postischemic reoxygenation on the tissue concentrations of adenylates, glucose, and lactate in the rabbit lumbar spinal cord after 10, 20, and 30 minutes of ischemia. In comparison with recirculation without manipulated PaO2, a decrease of PaO2 to 40 to 45 mm Hg upon reestablishment of blood circulation after ischemia led to an amelioration of the energy metabolism in the spinal cord tissue as determined by measuring the ATP concentration and energy charge. The protective effect of postischemic hypoxia was also reflected by the improvement of neurologic functions in animals after 10 and 20 minutes of ischemia.