[Mitochondrial energy processes of the visual system in the rabbit brain normally and under conditions of light...

A rate of endogenous respiration in mitochondria of rabbit brain visual system (visual cortex, forebrain) was higher under conditions of light deprivation (from birth up to 2.5 month) as compared with the mitochondria of control animals. The mitochondria of experimental rabbits were characterized by distinct alteration in oxidative phosphorylation of glutamic acid, by an increased rate of electron transport at the step between cytochrome c-cytochrome oxidase-succinate dehydrogenase of the respiratory chain as well as by the peculiar effect of rothenone and DNP on the chain. All the patterns studied approached the control value within the period of restoration of light impulsation. Nonlinear type of the regenerating processes was observed. Role of specific impulsation and compensatory reactions in the age-dependent development of energy processes in brain mitochondria is discussed.