skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: In vivo disturbance of the oxidative metabolism of glucose in human cerebral gliomas

Journal Article · · Ann. Neurol.; (United States)

Abnormalities in the oxidative metabolism of glucose in human cerebral gliomas have been studied in seven patients using positron emission tomography. Measurements of regional cerebral blood flow and oxygen consumption were obtained using the oxygen-15 steady-state inhalation technique. Values of regional cerebral glucose consumption were obtained using fluorine 18-labeled 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose and a simplification of the method of Sokoloff. Functional values were obtained for regions of tumor and brain tissue in the middle cerebral artery territory of the contralateral cortex. Values of regional glucose consumption were calculated for both regions using a value of the lumped constant quoted for normal brain tissue (0.42). Tumor regional cerebral blood flow was comparable to that in the contralateral cortex, whereas regional cerebral oxygen consumption was depressed. This depression resulted in low tumor values of the fractional oxygen extraction ratio (0.21 +/- 0.07), indicating that oxygen supply exceeded the metabolic demand. In contrast, tumor regional cerebral glucose consumption was not depressed and regional glucose extraction ratios were similar for tumor and brain tissue. The metabolic uncoupling between regional oxygen consumption and regional glucose consumption (CMRO2/CMRGlu . 0.24 +/- 0.07 ml of oxygen per milligram of glucose) is indicative of increased aerobic glycolysis.

Research Organization:
MRC Cyclotron Unit, Hammersmith Hospital, London, England
OSTI ID:
6964443
Journal Information:
Ann. Neurol.; (United States), Vol. 14:6
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English