The effect of 3:5-dinitro-ortho-cresol on phosphocreatine and the adenosine phosphate compounds of rat tissues

Abstract

After lethal doses of 3:5-dinitro-ortho-cresol (DNOC), depletion of energy-rich phosphate compounds occurs in skeletal muscle, brain, heart and diaphragm. The extent to which this change takes place in the muscle depends upon the survival time of the poisoned animal, but at all times nearly maximal loss of energy-rich phosphate compounds is found in the brain. The rapid onset of rigor seen after the death of rats poisoned with DNOC is not necessarily associated with subnormal concentrations of adenosine triphosphate in muscle.