[Characteristic respiratory magnitude of isolated mitochondria of the rat kidney cortex in relation to measurement conditions].

Respiration speed, respiratory control index and ADP/O-quotient are important characteristics of mitochondria. Since their numerical values much differ in literature, the influence of the composition of the measuring medium on these parameters was established. In their value the parameters are particularly determined by the Mg2+ and the phosphate concentration as well as by the pH-value of the medium. For the investigation of the characteristics a medium of the following composition is recommended: 210 mmol/l saccharose, 10 mmol/l KCl, 10 mmol/l KH2PO4, 60 mmol/l tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethan (pH 7.40), 0.5 mmol/l ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid.