Catecholamine content and electrolyte balance of the rabbit myocardium during poisoning with 2,4-dinitrophenol]

At the initial stages of energy deficiency in rabbits caused by an intravenous injection of 2,4-dinitrophenol (10 mg/kg) there occurred in the cardiac ventricles an increase in the noradrenalin content and a fall in the potassium level. In case of a more pronounced energy deficiency (20 and 30--40 mg/kg of 2,4-dinitrophenol) noradrenaline stores in the heart became exhaustated, whereas the potassium level in the myocardium became greater. There is a fall of adrenaline stores in the heart, whereas the potassium level in the myocardium increased. The amount of adrenaline in the heart and the adrenal glands decreased. Deep energy deficiency is accompanied by the syndrome of hyperkaliemia associated with the exit of potassium into the blood from the depot tissues.