Polygraphic Cell for Tissue Breathing Research

Tissue respiration is a multistage biochemical process during which cells obtain energy through the oxidation of organic substances. Studying this process is essential for understanding pathogenesis of many diseases. Aim of this study was to improve the method for studying tissue respiration of biological samples by developing and implementing a polarographic cell made from epoxy resin. The polarographic cell consists of a housing and an internal chamber for introducing biological samples and substances. The upper part of the housing contains two holes of different diameters for insertion biological samples into the internal chamber and allowing the free exit of the modified fluid volume from the chamber of the polarographic cell. A thermostatic tube made from medical-grade polyvinyl chloride is located in the lower part of the housing. The thermostatic tube ends are exposed and used for connection to the external circuit of a water thermostat. For operation, a liquid medium (buffer solution) and a biological sample are added to the internal chamber of a cell placed on a magnetic stirrer. An oxygen electrode connected to a multichannel system is also installed. The oxygen-dependent current is recorded using the Record 4-usb software. The optimal temperature in the chamber is maintained by a water thermostat. After the experiment is completed, the liquid containing tissues is removed, and the cell is washed and dried. The performance test results of the new polarographic cell, obtained in a study of the oxygen consumption rate of intact mouse small intestinal tissue fragments using the oxidative phosphorylation uncoupler 2,4-dinitrophenol, are comparable to typical polarographic oxygen uptake curves described in standard textbooks. The developed epoxy resin polarographic cell could become a cost-effective alternative to expensive equipment, ensuring reliable and reproducible results. The use of this device will expand the availability of this technique in medical and scientific institutions and will contribute to the improvement of diagnostic and pharmacological research. Its ease of use, low cost, and high data reproducibility make the proposed cell a promising tool for fundamental and applied biomedical research.

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