Oxygen consumption rate of tumour cells as a function of their proliferative status

The oxygen consumption rate (QO2) of EMT6/Ro-cells cultured as monolayers was investigated as a function of their proliferative status. The transition of these cells from the exponential to the plateau growth phase was associated with a continuous decrease in QO2 per single cell. This decrease can partially be attributed to a corresponding decline in cellular volume. In addition, the QO2 per cell volume was also reduced during the passage of the cells through the growth phase described. The results lead to the conclusion that a reduction in cellular volume and factors which are still unknown may contribute to the metabolic changes observed.