Cytotoxic effects of inhibitors of the system of energy supply on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells

It was shown that inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation (cyanide, rotenon e, and oligomycin) ind very low concentrations of exogenous prooxidants exe rted a pronounced cytotoxic effect on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells. We p ropose that cell injury by reactive oxygen forms is the cause of the cytoto xic effect of the studied inhibitors. It was shown via flow cytometry that inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation and exogenous prooxidants block cel l progress in the cell cycle and induce appearance of cells with reduced DN A content.