An analysis of the drugs acting on cerebral energy metabolism.

The behaviour of (a) the redox potential of the lactate/pyruvate system and the changes of the redox potential of the lactate/pyruvate system across the brain; (b) the energy charge potential of the adenylate pool, was studied in the brain of curarized beagle dogs. The influence of certain drugs (amobarbital, nicergoline, theophylline, papaverine, bamethan, dipyridamole, bemegride) on these parameters was evaluated under control conditions, during hypoxemia and during post-hypoxiemic recovery. On the whole, the action on energetic metabolism appears to be unrelated to the action believed to be exerted by drugs on cerebral vessels.