THE EFFECTS OF POTASSIUM ARSENITE (FOWLER'S SOLUTION) ON THE RESPIRATION AND GLYCOLYSIS OF NORMAL AND LEUKEMIC TISSUES, WITH OBSERVATIONS ON THE ACTION OF MENADIONE, 2-METHYL-1, 4 NAPHTHOQUINONE

Abstract

The respiration of rabbit and human bone marrow and human leukemic leucocytes is depressed to much the same extent and by K (or Na) arsenite, accompanied by accumulation of lactic acid, in contrast to the keto-acid accumulation in liver, kidney and pigeon breast muscle demonstrated by others. Menadione increases marrow respiration, decreases aerobic glycolysis and under selected conditions counteracts the effects of arsenite. Menadione is unable to restore the amoeboid and granular movement of myeloid cells poisoned with arsenite, and of itself impairs these forms of motility; the mechanism of its action is discussed in relation to its oxidation-reduction potential, its ability to react with sulfhydryl groups and the possibility of its inducing the oxidation of lactate. Its action in vitro is similar to that of methylene blue in several respects. Glutathione is ineffective in preventing or counteracting the effects of arsenite on the respiration and motility of marrow cells.