METABOLISM AND DETOXIFICATION-GRAY, RUECKERT and RINK 229 



In other experiments (to study the effect of thiopental on morphine conjugation), 

 50 mg. of thiopental were added to the reservoir flask, "arterial" and "venous" 

 samples drawn and analyzed hy the method of Jailer and Goidhaum.'' Morphine 

 sulfate (50 mg.) was added to the perfusate at the same time as thiopental, and 

 both "arterial" and "venous" samples followed for free morphine content. 



A graduated test tube was attached to the l)ile cannula and the volume collected 

 was recorded at hourly intervals. 



Results and discussion. A one-hour control period was observed in all experi- 

 ments before either morphine or thiopental was added to the perfusate. Thus, each 

 liver served as its own control concerning the effect, if any, of the drugs on oxygen 

 uptake and carbon dioxide production. With the concentrations used, neither mor- 

 phine nor thiopental caused observable changes in oxygen uptake or carbon dioxide 

 production. 



Figure 2 and table I summarize the effect of temperature on liver respiration. 

 The marked depression in respiration as a result of the decreased temperature is 

 quite apparent. However, regardless of the temperature, the oxygen utilization and 

 carbon dioxide production remains linear over the time followed. 



The significantly (p<0.025) low RQ value of the liver during the first hour of 

 perfusion at 37° C. was unexpected (table II). This might be explained as being 



500-1 



...0. 



37*^0 



