Microcalorimetric measurements on tissue cells attached to microcarriers in stirred suspension

Vero cells growing on microcarriers in stirred suspension were observed calorimetrically using a vessel designed for use with the LKB 'BioActivity Monitor'. Rates of formation of carbon dioxide and lactate were followed in parallel. The results showed that the power and rate of lactate formation could be correlated to both cell number and amount of protein, while the rate of carbon dioxide formation was slightly better correlated to cell number. The power per cell was 27.4 +/- 2.1 pW. Only 33% of this power could be accounted for by the formation of lactate and carbon dioxide.