[Metabolic activity of Krebs cycle in the liver during experimental burns]

Metabolic capacity of the Krebs cycle was limited in liver tissue of rats with experimental thermic burns of the IIIa-IIIb grade, involving 25-30% of a body surface; the phenomenon was primarily manifested in a decrease in the citrate synthesis, which occurred due to a decrease in content of citric acid and to decrease in the rate of 2-14C-pyruvate and 2-14C-acetate incorporation into citric acid. At the same time, impairment of alpha-ketoglutaric acid metabolism was found: specific radioactivity of the substance, after incorporation of 2-14C-pyruvate, was decreased and amount of the metabolite--increased. Simultaneously, activity of isocitrate- and malate dehydrogenases was decreased in liver mitochondria. In burns these impairments might be important for decrease of glucose energy potential in liver tissue and for alteration of other metabolic reactions.