Protective effect of pentobarbital on ischemic brain cell nuclei.

Cerebral ischemia occurs not only as a primary event but also as an important secondary phenomenon in many forms of brain insult. Many therapeutic regimens have been used empirically to combat various insults to the brain, and the barbiturates have received much attention lately. The present study demonstrates that pentobarbital administered before the onset of global ischemia ameliorates sodium and potassium loses from brain cell nuclei, which may be important in the etiology of the cell swelling seen in this model. Evidence is presented that this protective effect may occur through an energy-dependent, cooperative process.