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To examine the effects of hypotension induced either with trimethaphan (TMP) or nitroprusside (NTP) on blood-brain barrier (BBB), penetration of Evans blue (EB) was observed in dogs anesthetized with halothane. Dogs given TMP were divided into two groups: Group 1, seven dogs rendered hypotensive to mean cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) of 45 mmHg for 45 min and then of 30 mmHg for 45 min; Group 2, three dogs examined 3 days after arterial hypotension identical to that in Group 1. Dogs given NTP were divided into four groups: Group 1, seven dogs rendered hypotensive with NTP (at dose less than 1 mg/kg) identical to the TMP-Group 1; Group 2, three dogs examined as the TMP-Group 2; Group 3, seven dogs rendered hypotensive to CPP 45 mmHg for 45 min; Group 4, seven dogs rendered hypotensive with NTP (at dose greater than 1 mg/kg) identical to the NTP-Group 1. In all dogs, the dorsal cortical surface and standardized serial coronal sections were examined for evidence of EB penetration. The mean EB penetration score (+/- SEM) for TMP-Groups 1 and 2 was 12 +/- 6, 0 +/- 0, respectively, and for NTP-Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 was 105 +/- 14, 30 +/- 7, 6 +/- 6, and 125 +/- 26, respectively. These results suggest that dysfunction of the BBB in the NTP group was more pronounced than in the TMP group.

Cerebral cortical blood flow, electrical activity, and extracellular fluid (ECF) pH and K+ ion activities were measured in anesthetized cats (0.7% halothane 65% N2O in O2) subjected to hypotension (mean BP 30-32 and 26-28 mmHg), induced by either practolol and trimetaphan (TMP) or practolol and nitroprusside (NTP). Limited blood withdrawal was also necessary to achieve these blood pressure (BP) levels. Cerebral cortical blood flow during hypotension was greater with NTP than with TMP, and hyperemia occurred in the recovery phase after NTP but not TMP. Electrical activity also was maintained better with NTP. ECF K+ increased in five of six TMP experiments but in only one of six NTP experiments. Values of K+ greater than 15 mM were only seen in the TMP group. Release of K+ into the ECF space occurred at values of cerebral cortical oxygen delivery below 3 ml 100 g-1 min-1. ECF K+ partially recovered after the end of hypotension in all except the experiment with the highest value. A progressive and severe cerebral acidosis was seen in all experiments during induced hypotension, and values below pH 6.50 were present at the stage of K+ increase in the ECF space. It is concluded that the ability of cell membranes in the cat's cortex to maintain normal ionic gradients is depressed by hypotension to these levels with TMP, but not with NTP, and that this difference is related to better-maintained oxygen supply values during NTP hypotension.