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Cerebral concentrations of myo-inositol in rats with induced brain death.

Kiyoshima A, Kudo K, Goto Y, Tobimatsu S, Ikeda N

Department of Forensic Pathology and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashu-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.

In anaesthetized, mechanically ventilated rats with brain death induced by epidural balloon inflation, we assessed the levels of cerebral myo-inositol in three brain areas 4 h after brain death had been confirmed. The levels were measured using HPLC, along with the water content. Myo-inositol levels were significantly increased in the cerebellum (P<0.05) and decreased in the brainstem (P<0.001), compared to findings in controls. Such changes can serve as hallmarks of brain death.

Published 14 February 2005 in Leg Med (Tokyo), 7(2): 110-2.
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