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Gnaiger 1981 Thermochim Acta

From Bioblast
Publications in the MiPMap
Gnaiger E (1981) Pharmacological application of animal calorimetry. Thermochim Acta 49:75-85.

Β» Thermochim Acta

Gnaiger Erich (1981) Thermochim Acta

Abstract: Heat dissipation is a sensitive indicator for the effects of pharmaceutical agents on living systems. Informations are gained not only by observing changing levels, but also by comparing dynamic patterns of metabolic activity. Modern micro-calorimeters are sufficiently sensitive and provide a high time resolution to perform these measurements with small animals. The simultaneous record of heat dissipation and oxygen consumption in an open flow system permits a thermochemical interpretation of the calorimetric data and provides insight into the specific effects of pharmaceutical agents.

Experiments were performed with aquatic oligochaetes, zooplankton, and fish eggs and larvae. The combination of Streptomycin and Penicillin inhibited aerobic rates but dit not exert any influence under anoxic conditions. Streptomycin and Neomycin, on the other hand, stimulated heat dissipation under aerobic as well as anoxic conditions. Oxygen consumption was not increased to the same extent as the calorimetric signal: This indicates the activation of anoxic mechanisms during periods of highly increased metabolic activity. Hence direct calorimetry is a more sensitive and general method than respirometry in pharmacological and toxicological investigations. The combination of the two methods greatly enhances the value of both analytical tests.

β€’ Bioblast editor: Gnaiger E β€’ O2k-Network Lab: AT Innsbruck Oroboros


Labels: MiParea: Respiration, Instruments;methods, Pharmacology;toxicology 

Stress:Hypoxia  Organism: Fishes, Crustaceans, Annelids 

Preparation: Intact organism 




Microcalorimetry