[Functional evaluation of the mitochondria from Warthin tumor].

The mitochondria were isolated from 8 surgical specimens of Warthin tumor of the parotid and the activity of the respiration was evaluated. The average respiratory control rate (RCR) of the mitochondria of the tumors (1.12 +/- 0.50) was lower than that of the normal mitochondria (2.10 +/- 0.75). The preliminary experiment showed a loosely coupled state of oxidative phosphorylation. It indicates that the hyperplasia of the mitochondria in the Warthin tumor results from the metabolic disturbance of the tumor and it is a compensation in the cellular level.