MYOINOSITOL TURNOVER IN THE INTACT BRAIN OF CONSCIOUS AND ANESTHETIZED RABBITS

Turnover of myo-inositol in the intact brain of the conscious or anesthetized rabbit was estimated from the rate of appearance of endogenous myoinositol in the cerebroventricular compartment. The rate of appearance of brain-produced myoinositol was determined by isotope dilution during ventriculo-cisternal perfusion with artificial cerebrospinal fluid containing [14C]myoinositol. Removal of the labelled compound from the perfusate was also determined. A mean value of 5.6 nmol/min was obtained for the rate of appearance of cerebral myoinositol in conscious rabbits. Pentobarbital anesthesia caused a 30% decrease in the rate of appearance of myoinositol in the perfusate without significantly altering its fractional rate of removal. © 1979.