THE STIMULATION OF MUSCLE RESPIRATION BY CARBON MONOXIDE

Abstract

Substituting CO for the N in the air surrounding an isolated frog sartorius muscle increased the respiration usually 1.5-3 times. A 25% increase in metabolism was produced by CO in muscle mash of frogs and rats and in intact frog muscles made non-irritable by KCl or other means. Light had no effect upon this increase. The increase was not inhibited by treatment with Na bromacetate but it was diminished by KCN and CaCl2 to about the same extent as the normal respiration. The CO did not affect the development of tension in the muscle or its irritability. The R.Q. in CO was lowered, suggesting a burning of CO to CO2.