Oligomycin toxicity in intact rats

Intraperitoneal injection of oligomycin into the rat (0.5 mg per kg, corresponding to the LD33 dose) reduces the oxygen consumption by about 50%, whereas the arterial pO2 remains normal. The large extent of this decrease points to an involvement of liver and muscle tissue. Triiodothyronine pretreatment (3 doses of 0.075 mg/100 g body weight) is not able to prevent this effect. From the blood metabolites measured glucose, pyruvate and the parameters of lipid metabolism remain unchanged; only lactate is significantly increased, causing compensated metabolic acidosis. Heart rate, systolic blood pressure and electrocardiogram are essentially unchanged. Oliguria, reduced renal excretion of urea and increase of plasma urea also indicate a nephrotoxic action. The results are discussed in comparison with some effects of experimental uremia.