INCREASE OF GLUCOSE AND HIGH ENERGY PHOSPHATE RESERVE IN BRAIN AFTER HYDROCORTISONE

Abstract— Young mice treated with hydrocortisone (50 mg/kg) subcutaneously for 10 days showed a doubling of brain glucose. Brain phospho‐creatine, glucose‐6‐phosphate, and ATP increased slightly. Brain glycogen and lactate were unchanged. Total energy reserve of the brain was 23 per cent higher than the control value. Liver glycogen was increased 47 per cent; liver and blood glucose levels were 11 per cent lower than in control animals. Since the animals showed no evidence of sedation, these findings suggest a facilitated transport of glucose from blood into the brain under the influence of hydrocortisone. Other possible explanations include an inhibition of the hexose monophosphate shunt and a proportionate decrease in both the oxidative and glycolytic pathways of the brain, but it was concluded that these explanations are less likely. Copyright © 1969, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved