Dynamics of rat muscle mitochondria uncoupling in trichinellosis

Parallel oxygraphic measurements of respiratory control index (RCI) and spectroscopic measurements of the activity of two mitochondrial enzymes from rat muscle, mtATPase and succinate dehydrogenase were performed. In Trichinella spiralis infection, in comparison with Trichinella pseudospiralis infection, a delayed stimulation of mtATPase in 3rd week p.i. was observed and the degree of stimulation was weaker. A second peak of mtATPase stimulation appeared at the beginning of the encystation phase. The two-phase phenomenon was accompanied by a sharp decrease of RCI to 39% of normal values and almost 2-fold increase in the ratio of Mg(2+)-stimulated to Mg(2+)-unstimulated mtATPase. By the end of investigations (7th week) the level of SDH normalized, but mtATPase was still elevated. The results, as in the case of T. pseudospiralis infection, support the testing of mtATPase activity to follow bioenergetic changes in tissue parasite infections. In comparison with oxygraphic measurements ATPase testing needs a much smaller amount of biological material and ATP.