Effect of indomethacin on the coupling of cerebral blood flow to brain metabolism.

The effect of indomethacin (10 mg.kg-1 i.p.) on frontal cerebral blood flow has been investigated in male Sprague Dawley rats using the hydrogen clearance technique. Indomethacin elicited a marked reduction in cerebral blood flow in awake free-moving animals. The response to indomethacin was prevented by pretreatment with pentobarbital (50 mg X kg-1, i.p.). On the other hand, indomethacin was able to antagonize the cerebral vasodilation due to apomorphine chlorhydrate (2 mg X kg-1, i.p.), dexamphetamine tartrate (3 mg X kg-1, i.p.) or immobilization stress. Taken together, the above results lead to the suggestion that indomethacin can suppress the coupling of cerebral blood flow to brain metabolism. Further investigations are needed to ascertain whether this uncoupling influence is related to brain cyclooxygenase inhibition.