Coenzyme Q deficiency in mice following infection with Friend leukemia virus.

The specific activities of the succinate dehydrogenase-coenzyme Q reductase were assayed on mitochondrial preparations of this enzyme from spleen, liver, blood and peritoneal macrophages of mice infected with Friend leukemia virus, and of control mice. Significant increases in the deficiency of coenzyme Q-enzyme activity were found in the spleen and blood of infected animals as the infection progressed. No significant deficiency was observed in the liver or the peritoneal macrophages. The development of the deficiency and splenomegaly during infection seemingly correlate with previous data which showed that administration of coenzyme Q resulted in a reversal of splenomegaly and a reduction in mortality. A limiting factor in the resistance of mice to Friend leukemia virus appears to be the availability of coenzyme Q.