Mechanism of changes in lymphocytic dehydrogenase activity during transplantation of the heart

Succinate dehydrogenase (SD) and α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (α-GPD) activity were studied in the peripheral blood lymphocytes and grafted myocardium in CBA mice after transplantation of the heart from newborn C57BL/6 mice subcutaneously into the concha auriculae. The ratio SD/α-GPD was shown to be greater than 1 in the myocardium and lymphocytes of intact animals and in recipients of a transplanted isolinear heart. After allogeneic (heterolinear) transplantation the ratio between the activities was reversed (SD/α-GPD less than 1) on account of activation of α-GPD in the blood lymphocytes, and this was preceded by inversion in the myocardium of the graft. This phenomenon is assumed to be connected with the development of immunological conflict.