P-31 NUCLEAR MAGNETIC-RESONANCE OF METABOLIC CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH CYANIDE INTOXICATION IN THE PERFUSED RAT-LIVER

Metabolic changes associated with cyanide intoxication were observed for the first time in perfused rat liver using 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) at 60.7 MHz. Well-oxygenated control livers showed strong ATP peaks and little discernable internal orthophosphate (Pi). Perfusion with 2 mM cyanide eliminated the observable ATP peaks and caused internal Pi to increase. Despite clear evidence for ATP hydrolysis, resonances from cytoplasmic ADP were conspicuously absent. Resumption of perfusion with cyanide-free buffer caused a dramatic return of the ATP peaks with a concomitant fall in internal Pi. These metabolic changes are consistent with reversible binding of cyanide to mitochondrial cytochromes and their observation by 31P NMR indicates the potential of this method for studying metabolism in whole, perfused rat liver under physiologic conditions. © 1979.