High-energy phosphate levels in the cerebral artery during chronic vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Abstract

High-energy phosphate levels were measured in the canine cerebral artery during chronic vasospasm. Subarachnoid hemorrhage and vasospasm were induced by percutaneous injections of autologous venous blood into the cisterna magna. Narrowing of the artery was confirmed by angiography 7 days later. Levels of adenosine phosphates (adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and adenosine monophosphate (AMP)), guanosine phosphates (guanosine triphosphate (GTP) and guanosine diphosphate (GDP)), and creatine phosphate (CrP) in the basilar artery were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography. The total creatine (Crtotal) content was measured by a spectrophotometric method after acid hydrolysis of CrP. Levels of ATP, GTP, and CrP were markedly reduced in the spastic arteries, and ratios of ATP:ADP, GTP:GDP, and CrP:Crtotal were significantly decreased. The results indicate a serious disturbance in the energy metabolism that takes place in the cerebral artery during chronic vasospasm.