Differential Estimation of Gamma-butyrolactone and Gamma-hydroxybutyric Acid in Rat Blood and Brain

Abstract

A sensitive and specific gas chromatographic technique for estimating concentrations of the anesthetic adjuvants, gamma-butyrolactone and gamma-hydroxybutyrate, in tissues has been developed. These substances do not appear to occur endogenously in either the blood or the brain of common laboratory animals. The onset and duration of anesthesia caused by the administration of either compound is correlated with the concentration of gamma-hydroxybutyrate in the brain, rather than with that of the corresponding lactone.