[Intensity of respiration and the metabolism of phospholipids in isolated brain tissues of rats at various temperatures in the presence of KCN].

The intensity of oxygen consumption, as well as phospholipid metabolism of minced rat brain tissue were studied at different temperature of the incubation media (37 degrees, 32 degrees and 27 degrees C) without cyanide and in the media containing KCN (0.5 and 1.0 mM). As shown, both parameters depended directly upon the incubation temperature within the range of 27 degrees-37 degrees. KCN inhibited both processes, but depression of phospholipid metabolism was more expressed. These data suggest that under conditions of cyanide poisoning phospholipid metabolism depends both on the toxic effect of KCN directly and on the temperature, whose reduction reinforces this effect.