Effect of membrane active 1-alkylpiperidine N-oxides on glycolysis, respiration and ATP level in tumor cells.

The aim of this study was to study the effect of the homologous series of 1-alkylpyrrolidine N-oxides on ATP-producing processes in Ehrlich ascites and L1210 murine leukemia cells. 1-Decylpiperidine N-oxide (deP-NO), one of the active compounds, significantly stimulated the course of aerobic glycolysis of Ehrlich cells. Derivatives with longer side-chains markedly inhibited endogenous respiration of both tumor cells. dePNO, immediately after addition to the suspension of Ehrlich cells in an ice bath, markedly decreased the level of ATP in Ehrlich ascites cells. The decrease in ATP level might be explained through impairment of cell membrane integrity.