[Morphofunctional preservation of rat liver mitochondria incubated at 0 degrees C].

Studies have been made on the valinomycin-induced transport of Cs+ at 0 degree C in rat liver mitochondria energized with succinate. Under these conditions, mitochondria preserve their ability to accumulate Cs+ for 6 hours of incubation or even longer. The rate of both the inward and outward movement of Cs+ at 0 degree C was approximately an order lower than at room temperature, although the stationary distribution of Cs+ remained at a high level. Electron microscopic observations revealed no significant changes in the structure of mitochondria in spite of their prolonged incubation. These properties of mitochondria make it possible to determine the kinetic parameters of ion transport and in this way to evaluate functional condition of mitochondria at low temperatures.