The Effect of Cyanide on Oxygen Consumption in Bovine Dental Pulp.

Respiratory inhibition by cyanide was measured in bovine dental pulp slices and in bovine kidney cortex slices. Although inhibition in kidney slices was approximately 80%, inhibition in dental pulp was about 60%. The lower level of respiratory inhibition in pulp by cyanide is indicative of a lower concentration of cytochrome oxidase in this tissue. This is compatible with previously observed metabolic characteristics suggestive of a less highly developed respiratory mechanism in dental pulp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]