[Stimulation by quinones of cyanide-resistant respiration in rat liver and heart mitochondria].

It was shown that hydrophilic benzo- and naphthoquinones stimulate the cyanide-resistant respiration in liver and muscle mitochondria when succinate or NADH and glutamate or malate are used as oxidation substrates. The substrate-dependent oxygen uptake in the presence of cyanide is initiated by menadione, vicasol, 1.2-naphthoquinone, coenzyme Q0 and duroquinone. Rotenone and antimycin A do not inhibit the cyanide-resistant respiration. Oxidation of glutamate and malate in the course of CN-resistant respiration is inhibited by ortho- and bathophenanthroline and p-chloromercurybenzoate, whereas succinate oxidation by tenoyltrifluoroacetone, carboxin and pentachlorophenol. Superoxide dismutase, Cu2+ and catalase inhibit the CN-resistant respiration in the presence of quinones. Addition of catalase to the experimental cell causes O2 release.