EFFECT OF SUPEROXIDE IN AIR ON STRUCTURAL ORGANIZATION AND PHOSPHORYLATING RESPIRATION OF MITOCHONDRIA

The effect of negative air ions generated by a Tchijevsky lustre was s tudied in rat liver mitochondria in homogenate under conditions provid ing preservation of their native structural organization in the form o f associations. Rapid formation of large associations from intermediat e and small associations occurs after the homogenate was put into medi um pretreated by negative air ions (NAI). Under the influence of a flo w of NAI on mitochondria stored on ice for 2-3 h formation of giant as sociations is observed. Associations of mitochondria are not dissipate d by stirring with a magnetic stirrer for several minutes. The influen ce of medium pretreated with NAI or flow of NAI on homogenate improves weakened respiratory energy control and restores stimulation of phosp horylating respiration by adrenalin administration. The improvement of phosphorylation in mitochondria by NAI is perhaps caused by more comp lete preservation of both their native structural organization and rel ated physiological regulation of mitochondrial processes in isolated p reparations.