OXIDATIVE PHOSPHORYLATION IN MITOCHONDRIA FROM LIVERS SHOWING CLOUDY SWELLING

Abstract

Oxidative phosphorylation was measured in mitochondria isolated from livers showing cloudy swelling. This cellular degeneration was produced in rats with S. typhi murium toxin and in guinea-pigs with diphtheria toxin. It was found that phosphorylation coupled with the oxidation of either succinate or a-ketoglutarate was partially inhibited in liver mitochondria from treated animals, while the O2 consumption was unchanged. Thus, the P:O ratios for either of the substrates were lower in mitochondria from treated animals than in normal mitochondria. Dephos-phorylation of ATP was not significantly modified in mitochondria from livers showing cloudy swelling as compared with normal controls. No dephosphorylation of AMP and glucose-6-phosphate was seen either in normal mitochondria or in mitochondria or in mitochondria from treated animals.