Effect of Certain Radioactive Elements on the Metabolism of Cells

Abstract

In order to see whether there is any effect by the addition of radioactive elements on the metabolism of cells, radioactive Na or K was added to solutions containing Nitella or Elodea or red blood cells and the oxygen consumption was measured by the Warburg method.

For Nitella and Elodea, the solutions of NaCl and KC1 were .01 M at 25°C. For red blood cells, isotonic solutions of NaCl were used, namely, 1.12% at 37°C. The solutions had activities from 2.2 to 12 mC/liter, keeping the concentrations the same. Both sheep and chicken defibrinated blood was used. CO₂ was absorbed by KOH according to the usual method. The pH of the NaCl and KC1 solutions was 72. In certain cases with pond water it was 8.2. Controls with non-radioactive salts were done in all cases. Table I gives the results.

In most cases there was no observable effect on O₂ consumption as indicated by the Warburg method. The exception is that of Nitella when a low activity of NaCl (2.2 mC/liter) was used, and a slight acceleration was noted. There was, however, no immediate rise in oxygen consumption within a few minutes corresponding to the rapid ion exchange as shown in the induced absorption or first phase of ion exchange as illustrated by S. C. Brooks. 1 More refined methods may show other results.

It is concluded that there is no effect upon oxygen consumption because of the radioactivity of these ions.