The effect of sodium amytal on the respiration and phosphorylation of the sympathetic ganglion of the cat

Abstract

Respiration (studied manometrically) and phosphorylation were investigated in the tissue of the superior cervical sympathetic ganglia of cats. Reduction of the mineral phosphorus was determined in the presence of α-ketoglutaric acid and fluoride; hexokinase and glucose served as phosphate group acceptors. Reduction of the mineral phosphorus was observed in an atmosphere of oxygen: no binding of the phosphate occurred in anaerobic conditions. Sodium amytal blocking of excitation transmission through the ganglion induced a strong short-term inhibition of the oxygen absorption. Since the rate of respitation was later restored, the respiratory values, and especially those of phosphorylation, measured during the whole period of incubation (30 minutes), did not materially differ.