Oxygen uptake by suspension of mouse brain cells

A cell suspension was prepared by sieving mouse brain cortices in an isotonic solution of purified polyvinylpyrrolidone. A large increase on the O2-uptake by the suspension could be obtained with the preparation procedure described. The respiratory rate of suspension, incubated in saline medium, containing 6.2 mM K+, 10 mM pyruvate, 5 mM fumarate and 0.9 mM 5'-AMP, was equal to 68% of the respiratory rate of slices. High K+ concentration (65 mM) stimulated O2-consumption of suspension by 64% (73% in slices).