Prediction of central nervous system oxygen toxicity in rats.

Cumulative O2 toxicity (K) can be calculated using the expression K = t2 x PO2c, where t is exposure time and the power c is to be determined; the phenomenon is liable to occur when K reaches Kc, the threshold value of K at which a symptom is manifested. Six rats were each exposed six times to 6 ATA O2 at 2-day intervals until the first electrical discharge (FED) was noted in an electroencephalogram. There was no difference in latency to FED in the series of six exposures. Thirteen rats were exposed to O2 until FED was noted in an electroencephalogram. They were exposed to four constant PO2's of 5, 6, 7, and 8 ATA and to two combined profiles of 1) 5 min at 7 ATA followed by 5 ATA and 2) 15 min at 5 ATA followed by 7 ATA. The solution of the equation for each rat was used to predict its latency to FED on the combined profile. The correlation of predicted to measured latency was significant (P < 0.0001), and the slope was not different from 1. Solving for these parameters using the combination of all the data, we obtained Kc = 5.71 x 10(6) and c = 5.39, which correctly predicted the mean latency but failed to predict individual latency. It is preferable to use each rat as its own control. The significance of the correlation supports the validity of the power equation for calculating K.