Effects of Insulin, 2-Deoxyglucose and Dichloroacetate on Acute Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Rats

ABSTRACT

Hyperglycemia has been reported to worsen the tolerance of the brain to ischemia, and it has therefore been recommended that patient undergoing neurosurgical procedures not receive glucose-containing solutions. Since ischemic events lead to increased lactate production and accumulation and hence neuronal damage, the present study was designed to test the effect of insulin-induced hypoglycemia and decreased lactate by 2-Deoxyglucose and Dichloroacetate on focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Although the pre and post-ischemic blood glucose levels of control group and Dichloroacetate group showed no change, the blood glucose level of 2-Deoxyglucose group showed a significant increase(p=0.001), and insulim group a significant decrease(p=0.004). The reducing effects on the infarct zone in these three treated groups were found with statistical significance. As compared with control group, the tissue lactate levels of treated groups were decreased in both infarct zone and border zone but these data did not show statistical significance. From these observations, it is suggested that reduction of lactate production and accumulation could be beneficial by affording neuronal protection in ischemic tissues.