[Characteristics of oxidative metabolism of the gastrointestinal tract during adaptation of the rat to high temperatures].

Dynamic alterations in total respiratory metabolism, tissue respiration in various parts of gastrointestinal tract, respiratory and phosphorylating activity in mitochondria isolated from small intestinal mucosa were studied in rats, maintained during 30 days under conditions of high environmental temperature. Moderately high temperature caused a distinct redistribution of functional activity among various parts of gastrointestinal tract. A decrease in total respiratory metabolism occurred partially due to a decrease in tissue respiration, suggesting various role of these tissues in total body metabolism. Mitochondrial oxidation changed from alpha-ketoglutarate to succinate pathway depending on duration of the heat treatment. Higher temperatures caused a decrease in the mitochondrial respiration rate uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation.