Variation of hepatic mitochondrial nucleotides in rats contaminated with plutonium-239

Rats were given 239Pu citrate i.v. and the mitochondria of hepatocytes were studied. A reduction of oxygen consumption per mg protein with time was seen. We have investigated the nucleotides involved in nuclear phosphorylation. After mitochondrial extraction according to Schneider and Hogeboom, [1950], a new method was used for estimating CMP, NAD, 5' AMP, NADP, ADP and GTP. Flavine mononucleotide was not determined. The plutonium content was followed from day 0 to day 65 post injection. Mitochondrial nucleotides were studied on days 5 and 11. On day 5, all nucleotide levels were reduced by 20 to 70% except AMP which increased and GTP which remained constant. On day 11, all nucleotides had decreased by 70 to 100% except NAD which increased by 20 to 30%. The results suggest that plutonium citrate given intravenously has a time dependent effect on the energy metabolism of the liver.