[Effect of disulfiram on energy metabolism (redox potential shift) coupled to paradoxical sleep episodes in rat cerebral cortex].

Disulfiram (DS) is widely used to treat patients with chronic alcoholism. DS treatment multiplies PS episodes. In this work, DS effect on the number of PS episodes and on the energy metabolism changes in the cerebral cortex (coupled to PS episodes) was investigated for the first time in rats. Polygraphic recording of the redox potential E (with platinum electrodes implanted in several cortical sites), electrocorticogram, neck electromyogram, and general motor activity were made in sleep-wake cycles. Rats received DS (100 mg/kg) with meals for two nights, after which the number of PS episodes increased almost twice during two subsequent sessions (prior to receiving DS). This was evidence of an increase in PS pressure coupled to a decrease of norepinephrine level in the brain. DS also evoked sharp decrease in the amount of the positive E shifts related to PS, which were replaced by the negative E shifts or by the two-phase E shifts (negative-positive waves). The absolute mean amplitude decreased both for the positive E shifts and the negative E shifts. These findings demonstrate prevailing glycolytic compartment as a source of fuel supporting PS and the inhibition in all brain energetic compartments. The data presented well agree with the conception that glycolysis becomes the main source for the brain activity under pathology conditions.