Effects of Pentobarbital on Incorporation of Plasma Palmitate into Rat Brain

Abstract

Pentobarbital has a profound effect on brain lipid metabolism. It reduces incorporation of plasma palmitate into brain, more so into phospholipids than into neutral lipids, independently of changes in cerebral blood flow. Reduced incorporation likely reflects reduced turnover of palmitate within brain lipids (mainly phosphatidylcholine), consistent with evidence that barbiturates also reduce release of free fatty acids during brain ischemia.