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PubMed2004

Abnormal mitochondrial function and muscle wasting, but normal contractile efficiency, in haemodialysed patients studied non-invasively in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Muscle dysfunction, which contributes to morbidity in patients on haemodialysis, has several manifestations and a number of possible causes. We applied the non-invasive techniques of (31)P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((31)P-MRS), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to calf muscle of dialysed patients to define the abnormalities in muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), contractile efficiency, mitochondrial function and vascular O(2) supply. METHODS: We performed (31)P-MRS/NIRS/MRI studies on the lateral gastrocnemius during isometric plantarflexion and recovery in 23 male patients on haemodialysis (age 24-71 years; haemoglobin 9.9-14.2 g/dl; bicarbonate 17-30 mmol/l; urea reduction ratio 53-77%; parathyroid hormone 1-95 U/l) and 15 male controls (age 29-71 years). To understand the relationships between calf CSA and body mass we also performed MRI only in a further six male patients and 18 male controls. RESULTS: In patients, exercise duration was 30+/-11% lower than in controls. Muscle CSA was lower by 26+/-5%, but contractile efficiency (force/CSA/ATP turnover) was normal. Slowing of post-exercise phosphocreatine (PCr) recovery implied a 22+/-5% defect in effective 'mitochondrial capacity'. That PCr recovery was slow relative to NIRS recovery suggests that this is largely an intrinsic mitochondrial problem (not the result of impaired O(2) supply), one which, furthermore, correlated with CSA. Urea reduction ratio showed a negative correlation with body mass and CSA, but none with PCr rate constant. CONCLUSIONS: The relationships to urea reduction ratio reflect the effect of muscle mass on dialysis efficiency, rather than direct effects on muscle CSA or metabolism. The relationship between PCr recovery and calf CSA suggests a role for the mitochondrial defect, whatever its cause, in the development of muscle wasting, although a common cause (e.g. physical inactivity) for both abnormalities cannot be ruled out.

Humans↗

PubMed1998

Calbindin D28k blocks the proapoptotic actions of mutant presenilin 1: reduced oxidative stress and preserved mitochondrial function.

Mutations in the presenilin 1 (PS-1) gene account for many cases of early-onset autosomal dominant inherited forms of Alzheimer's disease. Recent findings suggest that PS-1 mutations may sensitize neurons to apoptosis induced by trophic factor withdrawal and exposure to amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta). We now report that overexpression of the calcium-binding protein calbindin D28k prevents apoptosis in cultured neural cells expressing mutant PS-1 (L286V and M146V missense mutations). Elevations of the intracellular Ca2+ concentration and generation of reactive oxygen species induced by Abeta, and potentiated by mutant PS-1, were suppressed in calbindin-overexpressing cells. Impairment of mitochondrial function by Abeta (which preceded apoptosis) was exacerbated by PS-1 mutations and was largely prevented by calbindin. These findings suggest that PS-1 mutations render neurons vulnerable to apoptosis by a mechanism involving destabilization of cellular calcium homeostasis, which leads to oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Amyloid beta-Peptides↗

PubMed2005

Effects of silica on mitochondrial functions of the proximal tubule cells in rats.

AIM: Despite the belief that silica (Si) is an inert and non-toxic ingredient, latest studies indicated that it is a potent mitochondria activator and Si-induced ROS generation is involved in the inflammatory reactions of silicotic lungs. Si cytotoxicity has been well studied in phagocytic cells, but its effects on the mitochondria of proximal tubule cells which are continuously exposed to filtered blood-borne soluble Si were not known. METHODS: Using renal cortical slices and isolated mitochondria, the effect of high dietary Si on the mitochondrial functions of proximal tubule cells was studied in rats exposed to 50 mg/kg sodium metasilicate-containing water for 8 days. RESULTS: Digested Si did not accumulate in kidney cortex, it was totally eliminated in the urine. Glomerular filtration rate as well as urine output were normal. Despite unaltered blood and cortex Si levels, ammonia production of cortical slices and isolated mitochondria was increased significantly and this was further increased by L-NAME pre-treatment. Elevated mitochondrial oxygen utilization was associated with increased ammonia production. Cyclosporin-A-sensitive mtPTP increase was associated with unchanged K(ATP) channels in the mitochondria of Si-exposed rats. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that dietary Si increases both extracellular and intracellular ammoniagenesis by elevating mitochondrial oxygen utilisation.

Ammonia↗

PubMed1996

Ischaemia-reperfusion induced alterations of mitochondrial function in hypertrophied rat heart.

The impact of in vivo ischaemia and ischaemia-reperfusion (I-R) on mitochondrial respiratory function was investigated in hypertrophied (HP) hearts with aortic constriction compared with control hearts using an open-chest rat surgical model. Moreover, mitochondrial susceptibility to superoxide radicals (O2-.) in vitro was examined in HP and control hearts with or without I-R. With the site I substrates pyruvate-malate, mitochondrial state 4 (basal) respiration and the respiratory control index (RCI) were not affected by either ischaemia alone or I-R in both HP and control hearts. State 3 (ADP-stimulated) respiration was increased with I-R in control hearts, but showed a reduction after I-R in the HP hearts. Exposure of mitochondria to O2-. (20 nM hypoxanthine in the presence of 0.13 unit mL-1 xanthine oxidase) significantly increased state 4 respiration, whereas state 3 respiration and RCI were decreased in all treatment groups. I-R hearts in both HP and control showed greater increases in state 4 respiration with O2-. than either sham or ischaemic hearts. HP hearts exhibited a significantly lesser extent of inhibition in state 3 respiration and RCI by O2-. compared with control hearts. These changes in mitochondrial respiratory properties were not observed with the site II substrate succinate. Myocardial reduced vs. oxidized glutathione ratio was significantly decreased after I-R in both control and HP hearts. Malondialdehyde content showed an increase with I-R, but the increase was significant only in control hearts. These data indicate that short-term in vivo I-R does not impair heart mitochondrial respiratory function, but renders the organelles more vulnerable to imposed oxidative stress. Mitochondria from the HP hearts are more resistant to free radical damage under normal and ischaemic conditions; however, this advantage is severely compromised after reperfusion.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

In vivo measurements of mitochondrial function and cell death following hypoxic/ischaemic damage to the new-born brain.

Critically impaired gas exchange to the brain due to decreased oxygen (hypoxia) or reduced blood flow (ischaemia) is a major cause of brain injury in the perinatal period. There is an accumulating body of evidence suggesting that the irreversible cellular damage in the neonatal brain that occurs subsequent to an hypoxic/ischaemic insult is at the level of the mitochondria. Much of this evidence has been obtained by novel non-invasive measurements of mitochondrial function in vivo. This review focuses on four techniques: near-infrared spectroscopy, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, magnetic resonance imaging and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The advantages and disadvantages of these in vivo methods are described in patients and animal models. The picture that emerges is of a slow (1-2 day) energy failure, occurring at the level of the brain mitochondria and leading to a primarily apoptotic cell death. Moderate post-insult hypothermia prevents this damage by an unknown mechanism. It is stressed that isolated cell studies alone are not sufficient to understand the processes occurring at the biochemical and physiological levels. The use of the non-invasive techniques described to understand the biochemistry occurring in vivo is therefore an invaluable aid in integrating cellular and organismal studies of the role of mitochondria in cell death.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed1995

13C NMR study of IGF-I- and insulin-effects on mitochondrial function in cultured brain cells.

Development of differential cell culture systems has facilitated the study of cellular and physiological actions of growth factors. Here we report the novel effects of insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I on energy metabolism in cerebral cortical neurones, astrocytes and co-cultures thereof. Incorporation of label from [1-13C]glucose into lactate has been shown to involve both glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle in astrocytes. Thus 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to monitor mitochondrial function by measuring 13C labelling of the C-2 position of lactate. It could be demonstrated that insulin and IGF-I have similar effects on mitochondria but individual effects on cytosolic glucose metabolism. Evidence is presented that IGF-I and insulin stimulate neurones to release factors affecting astrocytic lactate production. Furthermore, lactate released from neuronal-astrocytic co-cultures was mostly of astrocytic origin, implicating the importance of lactate for neuronal metabolism.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Mitochondrial function and energy metabolism after hypoxia-ischemia in the immature rat brain: involvement of NMDA-receptors.

Treatment after hypoxia-ischemia (HI) in immature rats with the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist dizocilpine maleate (MK-801) reduces areas with high glucose utilization and reduces brain damage. The object was to study the metabolic effects of MK-801 treatment after HI. Seven-day-old rats were randomized to the following groups: non-HI, HI, or HI plus MK-801 (0.5 mg/kg immediately after HI). In the parietal cortex, the mitochondrial respiration was measured in homogenates 1 to 4 hours, and the energy metabolites at 3 and 8 hours after HI. The energy use was calculated from changes in energy metabolites after decapitation at 3 hours after HI. State 3 respiration was reduced by 46%, 32%, and 25% after HI compared with non-HI with pyruvate plus malate, glutamate plus malate, or glutamate plus succinate as substrates, respectively. Uncoupler-stimulated but not state 4 respiration was similarly reduced. The MK-801 augmented pyruvate plus malate-supported state 3 respiration after HI by 42%. The energy utilization was not affected by HI but was reduced by MK-801 treatment in the ipsilateral cortex from 4.6 +/- 2.3 to 2.6 +/- 1.8 micromol high-energy phosphate bond/min/g. The levels of ATP and phosphocreatine did not differ between the HI and HI plus MK-801 groups at 3 hours, but were lower in the HI than in the HI plus MK-801 group at 8 hours after HI. In conclusion, treatment with MK-801 reduced energy utilization and improved mitochondrial function and energy status after HI, suggesting a linkage between NMDAR activation and impaired energy metabolism during reperfusion.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Adverse effects of gossypol analogs on TM4 cell mitochondrial function.

Three aqueous-soluble gossypol Schiff's bases, SP562: bis-8,8'-[(N-(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-iminomethylene]- 1,1',6,6',7,7'-hexahydroxy-5,5'-diisopropyl-3,3'-dimethyl-2,2'-binaphthalene dihydrochloride; SP563: bis-8,8'-[(N-(2-(diethylamino)ethyl]-iminomethylene]-1,1',6,6',7,7'- hexahydroxy-5,5'-diisopropyl-3,3'-dimethyl-2,2'-binaphthalene dihydrochloride; and SP564: bis-8,8'-[(N-(2-(diethylamino)propyl]-iminomethylene]-1,1',6,6',7,7'- [hexahydroxy-5,5'-diisopropyl-3,3'-dimethyl-2,2'-binaphthalene dihydrochloride, were examined for their effects on TM4 cell mitochondrial function and proliferation. Among the three gossypol analogs, SP562 had the most severe effect on decreasing TM4 cell population that accumulated rhodamine 123 into their mitochondria. This adverse effect exerted by SP562, however, was not as strong as that caused by (+/-) gossypol acetic acid of the same molarity. On the other hand, SP564 had the most severe effect on proliferation of TM4 cells. This severe effect was even more so than that caused by an equimolarity of (+/-) gossypol acetic acid.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Cumulative insults to mitochondrial function may promote the emergence of 'syndrome X' and diabetes mellitus in HIV/HCV co-infected patients.

The 'metabolic syndrome' or 'syndrome X' affects approximately a quarter of the general population of the United States. A significant number of patients, therefore, may have predisposing risk factors for developing 'syndrome X' and/or diabetes mellitus (DM) prior to HIV infection, hepatitis C (HCV) infection, and/or institution of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Metabolic perturbations identical to 'syndrome X' develop in many HIV-infected patients who are undergoing HAART. A series of cumulative and possibly synergistic insults to mitochondrial function which occur in HIV/HCV co-infected patients who are receiving HAART may promote the emergence of 'syndrome X' and DM. HIV-infected patients, especially those who are co-infected with HCV and who are undergoing HAART, may, therefore, be at increased risk of developing the cardiovascular complications that are associated with 'syndrome X' and DM.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1995

FK506 increases permeability in rat intestine by inhibiting mitochondrial function.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Under normal physiological conditions, the intestine presents an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent barrier to luminal contents. Disruption of this barrier function can occur when cellular metabolism is compromised. This study examined the effects of FK506 on intestinal permeability and enterocyte metabolic function in Lewis rats. METHODS: Rats were administered FK506 at a dose of 0.1, 0.5, or 2 mg/kg on alternate days for 6 weeks. Intestinal permeability was assessed by measuring urinary recovery of 99mTc-diethylenetriamine pentacetate, and electrophysiological conductance measurements were performed in Ussing chambers. Metabolic function was assessed in isolated enterocytes by measuring total ATP and CO2 release from [14C]pyruvate and [14C]glucose. RESULTS: Rats treated with FK506 showed a dose-dependent reduction in weight gain as well as increased in vivo and in vitro intestinal permeability. There was no difference in plasma creatinine or urinary output. Changes in permeability correlated with reduced ATP levels and CO2 release because of diminished mitochondrial function. Lactate production, as a measure of glycolytic activity, was not altered by FK506. CONCLUSIONS: In a dose-dependent manner, FK506 treatment in rats reduces weight gain, increases intestinal permeability, and decreases the ability of the small intestine to use glucose as an energy source.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1994

Chlorpromazine protection against Ca(2+)-dependent and oxidative cell injury. Limitations due to depressed mitochondrial function.

Chlorpromazine (CPZ), a phenothiazine, demonstrated both cytoprotective and toxic effects on cardiomyocytes. CPZ markedly reduced cytotoxicity caused by two toxic challenges, each with a distinct cytotoxic mechanism. Lethal cell injury was induced in cultured neonatal cardiomyocytes by either: (1) ionomycin, a Ca2+ ionophore that caused Ca(2+)-dependent cell injury; or (2) ethacrynic acid (EA), a glutathione (GSH) depletor that killed cells primarily via peroxidative damage. Pretreatment with 50 microM CPZ reduced the extent of ionomycin-induced cell death, as measured by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, but enhanced the loss of intracellular ATP and collapsed the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (delta psi). In EA-treated cultures, 50 microM CPZ also lowered LDH leakage and diminished the peroxidative damage responsible for the cytotoxicity, but again enhanced the loss of intracellular ATP and collapsed the delta psi. CPZ protection was incomplete and limited to a narrow concentration range that was essentially identical for both toxic challenges. Maximum protection was observed with 50 microM CPZ, yet the amount of residual damage was similar to the degree of injury caused by a mitochondrial uncoupler, carbonylcyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone alone. In the absence of either challenge, 50 microM CPZ did not affect cellular energy status or kill the cells, but a higher concentration of CPZ (150 microM) did deenergize unchallenged cardiomyocytes. These data demonstrate that CPZ can reduce cytotoxicity caused by either Ca(2+)-dependent events or oxidative stress. However, even at an optimally protective level, CPZ in combination with either ionomycin or EA deenergized the cells, although neither toxic challenge nor 50 microM CPZ alone seriously affected delta psi. It would appear that intracellular perturbations induced by either challenge promote a depression of mitochondrial function by CPZ, which limits the protective action of the drug. Since both of the challenges used contain toxicologic features exhibited by a wide variety of toxic insults, results of this study have both mechanistic and clinical implications.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed2002

Effects of caloric restriction on mitochondrial function and gene transcripts in rat muscle.

Rodent skeletal muscle mitochondrial DNA has been shown to be a potential site of oxidative damage during aging. Caloric restriction (CR) is reported to reduce oxidative stress and prolong life expectancy in rodents. Gene expression profiling and measurement of mitochondrial ATP production capacity were performed in skeletal muscle of male rats after feeding them either a control diet or calorie-restricted diet (60% of control diet) for 36 wk to determine the potential mechanism of the beneficial effects of CR. CR enhanced the transcripts of genes involved in reactive oxygen free radical scavenging function, tissue development, and energy metabolism while decreasing expression of those genes involved in signal transduction, stress response, and structural and contractile proteins. Real-time PCR measurements confirmed the changes in transcript levels of cytochrome-c oxidase III, superoxide dismutase (SOD)1, and SOD2 that were noted by the microarray approach. Mitochondrial ATP production and citrate synthase were unaltered by the dietary changes. We conclude that CR alters transcript levels of several genes in skeletal muscle and that mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle remains unaltered by the dietary intervention. Alterations in transcripts of many genes involved in reactive oxygen scavenging function may contribute to the increase in longevity reported with CR.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed2003

Nicotinamide offers multiple protective mechanisms in stroke as a precursor for NAD+, as a PARP inhibitor and by partial restoration of mitochondrial function.

The purpose of the current study was to investigate aspects of improved bioenergetic function using nicotinamide during stroke. Using a global ischemia-reperfusion mouse model, ATP was depleted by 50% in the brain. The use of nicotinamide to provide a large reserve of brain NAD+ restored ATP levels to 61% of control levels. Alternatively, using nicotinamide as a PARP inhibitor restored ATP levels up to 72%. However, using a large reserve of NAD+ in the brain together with PARP inhibition proved to be additive, restoring ATP to 85% of control levels during the first critical 5 min of reperfusion. NAD+ and ATP levels correlated almost exactly. Brain mitochondrial function was also examined after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. State 3 respiration of complex I was found to be abolished. However, this was a non-permanent inhibition of activity in vitro, since (NADH ubiquinone oxideroductase) complex I activity in these mitochondria was restored upon the addition of NADH. In vivo, the use of increased brain NAD+ and PARP inhibition was able to partially restore mitochondrial respiration. Taken together, the results show that nicotinamide offers a substantial protective role in terms of preservation of cellular ATP and mitochondrial NAD-linked respiration.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed2001

The apoptotic regulatory protein ARC (apoptosis repressor with caspase recruitment domain) prevents oxidant stress-mediated cell death by preserving mitochondrial function.

ARC is an apoptotic regulatory protein expressed almost exclusively in myogenic cells. It contains a caspase recruitment domain (CARD) through which it has been shown to block the activation of some initiator caspases. Because ARC also blocks caspase-independent events associated with apoptosis, such as hypoxia-induced cytochrome c release, we examined its role in cell death triggered by exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) in the myogenic cell line, H9c2. Cell death in this model was caspase-independent and characterized by dose-dependent reduction in ARC expression accompanied by disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta psi(m)) and loss of plasma membrane integrity, typical of necrotic cell death. Ectopic expression of ARC prevented both H(2)O(2)-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death without affecting the stress kinase response, suggesting that ARCs protective effects were downstream of early signaling events and not due to quenching of H(2)O(2). ARC was also effective in blocking H(2)O(2)-induced loss of membrane integrity and/or disruption of Delta psi(m) in two human cell lines in which it is not normally expressed. These results demonstrate that, in addition to its ability to block caspase-dependent and -independent events in apoptosis, ARC also prevents necrosis-like cell death via the preservation of mitochondrial function.

Animals↗

PubMed1973

Mitochondrial functions in five cases of human neuromuscular disorders.

We determined the respiration, respiratory control, and Pi:O ratios with different substrates in mitochondria isolated from five cases of human neuromuscular disorders (two cases of central core disease, two cases of neuropathy of Dejerine-Sottas, and one case of Kugelberg-Welander's disease) and compared them with normal human muscle. In all the myopathies studied, a severe derangement of the respiratory control with variable derangement of oxidative phosphorylation was found. This supports the idea that a group of neuromyopathies shares the same biochemical lesion as the so-called mitochondrial myopathies, forming with them a group of myopathies which may be related through a similar biochemical lesion of varying degree. Alternatively, disturbance of mitochondrial functions in a number of myopathies could be considered as a non-specific finding.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

PubMed1989

Effect of D,L-carnitine on the response of the isolated heart of the rat to ischaemia and reperfusion: relation to mitochondrial function.

1. The effect of 100 microM (20 micrograms ml-1) of D,L-carnitine was studied on the isolated heart of the rat subjected to 30 min of low flow ischaemia followed by reperfusion. 2. In untreated hearts (n = 30) ischaemia produced an almost total loss of contractility (P less than 0.05 compared with non-ischaemic time control) which was accompanied by an increase in resting tension of approximately 235% (P less than 0.05). Ventricular arrhythmias developed during ischaemia in 100% (P less than 0.05) of untreated hearts studied. Following reperfusion, untreated hearts recovered 16.3% of contractile function and demonstrated a 60% elevation in resting tension. The incidence of reperfusion-associated ventricular fibrillation was 60%. 3. Carnitine treatment produced no effect on either the contractile depression or the elevation in resting tension during ischaemia but did significantly decrease the incidence of arrythmias at the termination of ischaemia to 63.3% (n = 30, P less than 0.05). In the presence of carnitine, contractile recovery at the end of reperfusion was significantly increased to 30.2% (n = 10, P less than 0.05) and the elevation in resting tension was decreased to 30% (n = 10, P greater than 0.05). The incidence of ventricular arrhythmias during reperfusion was significantly reduced by carnitine. 4. Two populations of mitochondria, subsarcolemmal (SLM) and interfibrillar (IFM) isolated at the end of the ischaemic period exhibited an overall increase in oxidative phosphorylation rates as well as uncoupled oxygen consumption; both phenomena were more pronounced with IFM. Carnitine generally potentiated this response. A 29% and 38% inhibition in atractyloside-sensitive ADP uptake was observed in SLM and IFM, respectively, following ischaemia, which was partially prevented by carnitine. 5. After 10min of reperfusion, adenosine diphosphate (ADP) uptake in SLM was further reduced to 55% of control whereas with IFM, uptake was not different from that seen at the end of ischaemia. Mitochondria isolated from hearts after 30 min of reperfusion revealed a significantly depressed oxidative phosphorylation as well as ADP/ATP translocase activity. These defects were partially reversed in hearts perfused with carnitine. 6. Our study demonstrates that D,L-carnitine protects the rat isolated heart against injury associated with ischaemia and reperfusion through a mechanism associated with improved mitochondrial function.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1 alpha ) and mitochondrial function by MEF2 and HDAC5.

The myocyte enhancer factor-2 (MEF2) transcription factor regulates muscle development and calcium-dependent gene expression. MEF2 activity is repressed by class II histone deacetylases (HDACs), which dissociate from MEF2 when phosphorylated on two serine residues in response to calcium signaling. To explore the potential importance of MEF2/HDAC interactions in the heart, we generated transgenic mice expressing a signal-resistant form of HDAC5 under cardiac-specific and doxycycline-inducible regulation. Transgene expression resulted in sudden death in male mice accompanied by loss and morphologic changes of cardiac mitochondria and down-regulation of mitochondrial enzymes. The transcriptional coactivator PGC-1 alpha, a master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and fatty acid oxidation, was also down-regulated in response to HDAC5 expression. Examination of the PGC-1 alpha promoter revealed two MEF2-binding sites that mediate transcriptional activation by MEF2 and repression by HDAC5. These findings identify PGC-1 alpha as a key target of the MEF2/HDAC regulatory pathway and demonstrate this pathway's importance in maintenance of cardiac mitochondrial function.

Acetylation↗

PubMed2003

Toxic effects of copper-based antineoplastic drugs (Casiopeinas) on mitochondrial functions.

To elucidate some of the subcellular and biochemical mechanisms of toxicity of metal-based antineoplastic drugs, mitochondria and cells were exposed to Casiopeinas), a new class of copper-based compounds with high antineoplastic activity. The rates of respiration and swelling, the H(+) gradient, and the activities of succinate (SDH) and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenases (2-OGDH) and ATPase were measured in mitochondria isolated from rat liver, kidney, heart, and hepatoma AS-30D. Also, oligomycin-sensitive respiration and ATP content in hepatoma AS-30D cells were determined. Casiopeinas) (CS) II-gly and III-i inhibited the rates of state 3 and uncoupled respiration in mitochondria. CS II was 10 times more potent than CS III. The sensitivity to CS II was 4-5-fold higher in mitochondria incubated with 2-OG than with succinate. Thus, at low concentrations (< or =10 nmol (mg protein)(-1); 10 microM), CS II disturbed mitochondrial functions only when 2-OG was present, due to a specific inhibition of 2-OGDH. At high concentrations (> or =15nmol (mg protein)(-1)), CS II-induced stimulation of basal respiration, followed by a strong inhibition, which correlated with K(+)-dependent swelling and cytochrome c release, respectively; K(+)-channel openers induce a similar mitochondrial response. Mitochondria from liver, kidney and hepatoma showed a similar sensitivity towards CS II, whereas heart mitochondria were more resistant. Oxidative phosphorylation and ATP content were also decreased in tumor cells by CS II. The data suggested that CS affected several different mitochondrial sites, bringing about inhibition of respiration and ATP synthesis, which could compromise energy-dependent processes such as cellular duplication.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗