Metabolic changes with inflammation induced by a surfactant.

Studies were carried out to determine the relationship between metabolic histopathological changes in the gastrocnemius muscle of rats in which an acute exudative inflammation had been induced by alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (alkyl-DBAC, a cationic surfactant). Succinate respiration, Na+-K+-Mg2+ ATPase activity and ATP, ADP and AMP levels were determined as the index of metabolic changes. Myofascial edematous swelling with the acceleration of succinate oxidation and Na+-K+-Mg2+ ATPase activity was noted at 30 minutes in the inflamed muscle. The ATP level was also transiently reduced. On the other hand, Na+-K+-Mg2+ ATPase activity and succinate oxidation were inhibited by alkyl-DBAC, at this concentration, in vitro. These results support the possibility that enhancement of energy metabolism is not directly initiated by alkyl-DBAC but may be the result of certain chemical mediators released by alkyl-DBAC. The enhancement of energy metabolism continued after 1 hour and this energy may initiate leukocyte migration as well as increase vascular permeability and edema.