Ouabain-sensitive liver and diaphragm respiration in cold-acclimated hamster

The in vitro respiratory rates of liver and diaphragm from hamsters were compared before and after prolonged cold exposure (5 degrees C, 3-4 wk). In the presence or absence of glucose, respiratory rates were elevated in both tissues from the cold-acclimated hamsters, and these cold-induced increases were significantly reduced by ouabain. This ouabain inhibition is consistent with the hypothesis that cold exposure of these rodents stimulates the energy demands of the Na+/K+ transport system in liver and diaphragm, with these demands providing a driving force, at least in part, for respiration and accompanying cellular thermogenesis.