[The effects of thiopentone, etomidate and flunitrazepam on cerebral energy metabolism in the rat (author's transl)].

The effect of thiopentone, etomidate and flunitrazepam on cerebral energy metabolism was investigated in the male Wistar rat. Brain cortex was deep-frozen in situ under steady state conditions (normotension, normothermia, normoxia and normocapnia) of a standardized anaesthesia. Anaesthesia with thiopentone led to an decrease in glycolytic flux on the level of the hexokinase and/or phosphofructokinase reaction as well as reduced citric acid cycle intermediates. The brain cortex levels of high-energy phosphates however are unchanged thus indicating an adequate supply of energy for the brain. Similar results were obtained when anaesthesia was induced with etomidate and flunitrazepam. In spite of the fact that flunitrazepam seemed not to influence the phosphofructokinase reaction an equivalent hypnotic dose of each drug led to comparable metabolic effects in the brain cortex.