Session II: Introductory Remarks

Abstract

In this session of the symposium, we are getting down to fundamental issues—what happens in the cells. Metabolism, however, applies not only to the cell but to specific organs, so we will not limit ourselves to cellular metabolism. In the backs of our minds, however, lurks the fact that thus far we have learned about the cell and its function primarily from autolytic “washout” products; we have failed to uncover what is happening in real time, as far as the cell is concerned (i.e., the kinetics of exchange and the kinetics of oxygen consumption). Drs. Chance at the University of Pennsylvania and Roughton in England have been some of the pioneers in this area, trying to develop systems for analyzing cellular function on a real-time basis without the need for measuring “washout” products alone. We are perfectly aware that perfusion must be adequate, not only to get nutrients and oxygen into the cell but to remove the lactate and other autolytic and enzyme products which are indicators of cellular function.