[Effects of combined action of heavy metal salts and phenol on energetics of isolated rat liver mitochondria].

Experiments were carried out to investigate effects of heavy metal salts and phenol both alone and in different combinations on respiration rate and coupling of respiration and oxidative phosphorylation by rat liver mitochondria. Oxygen consumption measurements were obtained using a Clark electrode and lactate plus glutamate as substrates. It is shown that a 50% decrease of the respiratory rate was achieved in less concentrations of substances in the mixture compared with the effects of the individual substances. For respiratory control recovery by EDTA titration more amounts of complexion for model mixtures was necessary. The results evidence synergism of the substances responsible for a considerable increase in toxicity. Mitochondrial test-systems are suggested for rapid prognosis of toxicity of multicomponent mixtures of substances.