The effects of propofol anesthesia on local cerebral glucose utilization in the rat.

The autoradiographic 14 C-2-deoxy-D-glucose method was used to determine local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU) during propofol anesthesia and recovery in 52 regions of the rat brain. Control rats intravenously received 5 ml•kg −1 •h −1 of the egg-oil-glycerol emulsion that constitutes the vehicle for propofol. Anesthetized animals received and iv bolus of propofol (20 mg/kg) followed by continuous infusion of the anesthetic at 12.5, 25, or 50 mg•kg −1 •h −1 for 1 h prior to injection of 14 C-2-deoxy-D-glucose and for the following 45 min