THE EFFECTS OF ADRENALECTOMY ON THE ACTIVITY OF CYTOCHROME OXIDASE AND THE CONCENTRATION OF CYTOCHROME C IN RATS1

Abstract

The activity of cytochrome oxidase and the cone, of cytochrome c in heart, kidney, and liver tissues were studied by chemical methods of detn. in normal and adrenalectomized rats. Some of the adrenalectomized rats were treated with adrenal cortical extract, others given NaCl in their drinking water. In addition to these groups one group of normal rats was studied after partial starvation. The untreated adrenalectomized rats showed a significant decrease in cytochrome oxidase activity in all tissues studied and a decrease in the cone, of cytochrome c in kidney and liver tissue. Treatment with NaCl prevented some of the decrease while cortical extract (Eschatin) prevented the decrease completely. The partially starved group of normal animals showed a somewhat higher cytochrome oxidase Qo2 than fed normals, but there was no significant change in the total liver oxidase and kidney oxidase (Qo2 multiplied by the total dry wt. of the organ) of this group. The total liver oxidase and kidney oxidase of the untreated adrenalectomized animals showed a decrease from the level of the normal rats.