The Effects of X-radiation and Nicotinamide on the Respiration of Rat Thymocytes

Abstract

The respiration rate of thymocyte suspension cultures irradiated with 1.5 kr remains normal until the process of nuclear structural homogenization is well under way. Reduction of respiration rate by cyanide, nicotinamide and a very high dose of x-radiation (30 kr) is associated with a strong retardation of nuclear changes. It is proposed that the inhibition is, in fact, responsible for the inhibition of nuclear structural changes by these agents. A possible mechanism for this effect of respiratory inhibition is discussed.