[Respiration of the cells and isolated mitochondria of the rat liver in the early stages of hepatocarcinogenesis].

Under study was the respiration of mitochondria and cell aggregates (slices) of rat liver during the process of chemical carcinogenesis, induced by 3'-Me-DAB and AAP. The study of the hepatic mitochondria respiration indicated no impairment of the mitochondria functions investigated at early stages of carcinogenesis. The examination of hepatic slices respiration has demonstrated that during the process of chemical carcinogenesis the stimulation of endogenic respiration affected by DNP is decreased, whereas such effect is not observed while using succinate as a substrate. During the carcinogens metabolism compounds are assumed to be formed, those are able to affect oxidative phosphorylation without forming any stable link with the respiratory chain components. Which of the carcinogens metabolites may render similar effects is the question to be discussed.