The effect of substrate on the uptake of oxygen and sulphate ions by heat-damaged skin

Respiration and sulphate uptake have been measured in guinea-pig skin subjected to heat damage and maintained on a medium containing sodium succinate. Succinate was found to have a protective effect against loss of oxygen uptake, a higher temperature being required for 50% effect than that reported with glucose as substrate. The protective effect did not extend to sulphate incorporation, suggesting that this process is itself heat-labile and that its failure with heat damage is not directly caused by diminution of the energy supply.