Quantification of regional cerebral blood flow in rats using an arteriovenous shunt and micro-PET

摘要: Abstract Introduction Measurement of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in rodents can provide knowledge pathophysiology the circulation, but generally requires sampling for analysis during positron emission tomography (PET). We therefore tested feasibility using an arteriovenous (AV) shunt rats less invasive analysis. Methods Six anesthetized received [ 15 O]H 2 O and O]CO PET scans with their femoral artery vein connected by AV shunt, activity within which was measured a germanium ortho-oxysilicate scintillation detector. The intravenously injected either at faster or slower injection rate, while animals were placed head heart centered gantry. time–activity curve (TAC) from compared that cardiac ventricle image. rCBF values calculated nonlinear least-square method dispersion-corrected AV-shunt TAC as input. Results had higher signal-to-noise ratio, also delay dispersion image-derived TAC. time between image-based ranged 11 to 21 s, estimated be ∼5 s constant model exponential function, both properly corrected. In steady-state condition PET, concentration comparable height corrected partial volume. Whole-brain CBF 0.37±0.04 (mean±S.D.) ml/g/min, partition coefficient 0.73±0.04 ml/g, varied linear relationship pressure carbon dioxide each scan. Conclusions technique allows invasive, quantitative reproducible measurement studies than direct radioassay.