EFFECT OF METHACRYLONITRILE, A CYANOGEN, ON THE FUNCTION OF RAT-LIVERMITOCHONDRIA

Methacrylonitrile given to rats at a dosage of 40 mg/kg b.wt/d (0.2 LD 50) caused phospholipid levels to rise and cholesterol to decline in l iver mitochondria. Activities of the mitochondrial inner membrane enzy mes NADH dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome c oxida se also declined significantly. Decreases in cytochrome contents and i n the respiratory control ratio, shown by a fall in state 3 (+ADP) and a rise in state 4 (-ADP), implied lowered ATP synthesis following the administration of methacrylonitrile. These results confirm the cytoto xic-hypoxia resulting from impaired intracellular O-2 utilization due to the liberation of cyanide. (C) 1998 Lippincott-Raven Publishers.