Effects of CO2 pre-treatment at narcosis on energy charge levels in cell nuclei and whole tissue of rat liver

Abstract

C0₂ can be used in rats and mice as an initial anaesthetic in order to facilitate handling and reduce stress before injections or other kinds of treatment of short duration. Interference with physiological conditions like the energy status of the tissue may reduce its suitability. The present study was undertaken in order to elucidate the effect of C0₂ treatment of rats on energy charge values in their livers.
Rats were anaesthetized with either Briethal (methohexital) alone or C0₂ + Briethal for 4-5 minutes or C0₂ + Mebumal (pentobarbital) for 15 minutes and energy charge values were determined in samples from whole liver and in liver celle nuclei, isolated by a non-aqueous method. C02 caused a significant decrease in energy charge which was detected after the short narcosis of 4—5 minutes. After 15 minutes the values had recovered. Energy charge was similar in whole tissue and cell nuclei.