[Effect of metronidazole on the intensity of cell respiration]

The time-course of the metronidazole (MZ) radiosensitizing effect after the administration of the agent to mice 7 days following the inoculation of ascites tumor cells is better correlated with the time-course of the MZ content in the above cells than with the time-course of their potential respiration intensity evaluated by the polarographic method in a closed unit. Five minutes after MZ administration the depression of respiration intensity reached 50% and might contribute to the radiosensitizing effect. After MZ administration not only "metronidazole" but also "oxygen" waves were recorded in ascites tumors of mice using the polarographic method.