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PubMed2007

Melatonin role in the mitochondrial function.

Melatonin is an ancient molecule present in unicellular organisms at the very early moment of life. Initially identified as a secretory product of the pineal gland in mammals and in other species, it was considered a hormone related to reproduction. The evidence that melatonin is produced in many organs and tissues of the body, reaching concentrations higher than in the blood, support the multiplicity of the melatonin actions. The best-known actions of melatonin, currently supported by experimental and clinical data, include antioxidant and anti-inflammatory abilities, some of them involving genomic regulation of a series of enzymes. Besides, melatonin displays anticonvulsant and antiexcitotoxic properties. Most of the beneficial consequences resulting from melatonin administration may depend on its effects on mitochondrial physiology. The physiological effects of melatonin on normal mitochondria, its role to prevent mitochondrial impairment, energy failure, and apoptosis in oxidatively-damaged mitochondria, and the beneficial effects of the administration of melatonin in experimental and clinical diseases involving mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death, are revised.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Redox regulation of apoptosis: impact of thiol oxidation status on mitochondrial function.

The probability that a cell will undergo apoptosis is in part dictated by the cellular redox potential, which is mainly determined by the reduction and oxidation of thiol residues on glutathione and proteins. We and others have recently shown that mitochondria play a critical role in the apoptotic cascade. Here, we address the question as to whether thiol modification regulates apoptosis and in which cellular compartment apoptosis-regulatory thiols are localized. To resolve this problem, we employed the divalent thiol-reactive agent diamide, which causes thiol cross-linking and thus mimics disulfide bridge formation, and a panel of monovalent thiol-reactive compounds (which impede disulfide bridge formation due to thiol oxidation), one of which is specifically targeted to the mitochondrial matrix. Our data indicate that thymocyte apoptosis induced by diamide mimics natural apoptosis in the sense that mitochondrial transmembrane potential (delta psi(m)) disruption precedes nuclear chromatin degradation; that monovalent thiol-reactive compounds inhibit apoptosis induced by diamide, glucocorticoids, irradiation, and topoisomerase inhibition; that the critical thiols determining cell fate after exposure to diamide, glucocorticoids, or DNA damage are likely to be located in the mitochondrial matrix; and that thiol oxidation and reduction are critical for apoptosis induction by some stimuli (glucocorticoids, DNA damage), but not by Fas/CD95 cross-linking. Taken together, these findings suggest that, at least in some pathways of apoptosis, mitochondrial thiols constitute a critical sensor of the cellular redox potential.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

ATP-dependent proteases controlling mitochondrial function in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Regulated protein degradation by ATP-dependent proteases plays a fundamental role in the biogenesis of mitochondria. Membrane-bound and soluble ATP-dependent proteases have been identified in various subcompartments of this organelle. Subunits composing these proteases are evolutionarily conserved from yeast to humans and, in support of an endosymbiotic origin of mitochondria, evolved from prokaryotic ancestors: the PIM1/Lon protease is active in the matrix of mitochondria, while the i-AAA protease and the m-AAA protease mediate the turnover of inner membrane proteins. Most of the knowledge concerning the biogenesis and the physiological role of ATP-dependent proteases comes from studies in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Proteases were found to be required for mitochondrial stasis, for the maintenance of the morphology of the organelle and for mitochondrial genome integrity. ATP-dependent proteolysis is crucial for the expression of mitochondrially encoded subunits of respiratory chain complexes and for the assembly of these complexes. Hence, mitochondrial ATP-dependent proteases exert multiple roles which are essential for the maintenance of cellular respiratory competence.

ATP-Dependent Proteases↗

PubMed1979

The relationship of regional coronary blood flow to mitochondrial function during reperfusion of the ischemic myocardium.

The relationship of changes in regional coronary flow to the nature and degree of biochemical disturbances during occlusion of branches of the left anterior descending coronary artery and following reestablishment of flow was investigated in two groups of dogs: group I, moderate ischemia before reflow, and group II, severe ischemia prior to reflow. Regional coronary blood flow was determined before ligation, after 60 min of ischemia and after 15 min of reflow using labelled microspheres. Hearts made ischemic for 60 min but not reperfused served as controls. Groups I and II were distinguished by the following features. Group II showed a marked exacerbation of biochemical damage on reperfusion of the ischemic region (reduced levels of ATP, impairment of mitochondrial oxygen consumption and mitochondrial calcium binding). This was accompanied by significant subendocaridial hyperemia. Reperfusion in group I, on the otherhand, partially reversed these changes (increased level of ATP in the ischemic-reperfused region, improved mitochondrial oxygen consumption and calcium binding). Mitochondrial calcium uptake and oxidative phosphorylation (ADP/O ratio) were not affected in any group. These data illustrate that the degree of biochemical damage following reperfusion of the ischemic myocardium is determined by the degree of ischemia, and suggest that interference with ATP production by the mitochondria is not responsible for the damage.

Animals↗

PubMed1982

Energy balance and mitochondrial function in liver and brown fat of rats fed "cafeteria" diets of varying protein content.

Rats fed "cafeteria" diets with low (7%, LP) normal (23%, NP) or high (33%, HP) protein contents showed increases in metabolizable energy intake (kJ/kg 0.75, 23-41%) and in energy expenditure (36%) compared to controls fed stock diet (27% protein). The high metabolic rates were inhibited by beta-adrenergic blockade with propranolol. All rats fed cafeteria diets deposited more fat than controls, but the LP diet depressed growth, and these animals also showed the lowest energetic efficiency. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) mass and protein content were increased in all groups fed cafeteria diets, but the largest changes occurred in LP-fed animals, and the smallest in the HP group. Hepatic mitochondrial alpha-glycerophosphate shuttle activity and plasma triiodothyronine levels were elevated twofold in rats fed LP cafeteria diet compared to controls, but the other cafeteria diet groups showed little or no changes, and shuttle activity in BAT was not affected by any of the diets. Blood glucose and plasma insulin levels were similar for control, NP and HP animals, whereas glucose levels were slightly lower and insulin levels were very much lower in the rats fed LP cafeteria diet.

Adipose Tissue, Brown↗

PubMed1992

The antifertility agent, gossypol, changes several mitochondrial functions in the presence of Mg2+.

1. The effect of gossypol in the presence of K+ or Mg2+, or both, was studied on ATPase activity and respiration of rat liver mitochondria. 2. Respiration was uncoupled in the presence of gossypol, Mg2+, and K+, whereas in the presence of gossypol and Mg2+ a partial inhibition was observed. 3. Gossypol stimulated ATPase activity in the presence of K+ or Mg2+, but maximal activity was observed when both cations were in the incubation medium. 4. Stimulation of ATPase activity in the presence of Mg2+ was dose related. 5. EDTA reverted the stimulation produced by gossypol on ATPase activity. 6. Gossypol had no effect on the ATPase activity of submitochondrial particles, which suggests an indirect action of gossypol on the enzyme. 7. Mitochondrial membrane potential showed a higher collapse in the presence of gossypol and 1 mM MgCl2. 8. The observed effects of gossypol could be explained by the collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

PubMed1992

Preserved mitochondrial function by allopurinol despite deteriorated hemodynamics in warm ischemia-damaged canine liver.

To investigate the pathophysiology of warm ischemia (WI) of the liver, the changes in hemodynamics and energy metabolism were studied during and after 60-min complete WI induced by total hepatic vascular exclusion (HVE) in the canine model. Hepatic arterial blood flow after WI was maintained at 76% of the pre-ischemic level, while portal blood flow was only 27% of the pre-ischemic level associated with increased portal vein pressure, which was twice the pre-ischemic level, resulting in a decrease of total hepatic blood flow to 46% of the pre-ischemic level. Concentration of tissue lipid peroxide increased after WI. Arterial blood ketone body ratio (AKBR), which reflects the hepatic mitochondrial redox state, could not recover to the pre-ischemic level after termination of WI. However, when 100 mg/kg of allopurinol (xanthine oxidase inhibitor) was administered intravenously 10 min prior to initiating WI, AKBR was restored to the pre-ischemic level at 30 min after WI in spite of the fact that allopurinol administration to one group produced no remarkable changes in the hepatic hemodynamics compared with the group without allopurinol treatment. Concentration of adenine nucleotides was significantly higher for the treated group at the end of and after WI than for the group without allopurinol treatment and was maintained at a higher level even after WI. Lipid peroxide production was suppressed. Electron microscopic examination revealed that allopurinol treatment could not prevent mitochondrial swelling. It is suggested that WI causes injury primarily to the portal sinusoidal circulation, resulting in portal congestion concomitant with high portal pressure after the release of WI. Allopurinol could prevent the deterioration of mitochondrial ATP metabolism, and was able to inhibit lipid peroxide production, resulting in the rapid recovery of mitochondrial redox state in spite of the fact that it produced no amelioration of hepatic hemodynamics and morphological alterations.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed2006

The effect of flavonoids on rat heart mitochondrial function.

In this study the effects of flavonoids (quercetin and its derivatives as rutin, hyperoside, quercitrin) on the oxidative phosphorylation in rat heart mitochondria were investigated. We found that all investigated flavonoids possessed uncoupling activity. Thus, quercetin, rutin, and quercitrin in dose-dependent manner induced a stimulation of the State 2 respiration rate by 10-110% with pyruvate + malate as substrate. The maximal stimulation of the State 2 respiration rate was obtained at 1.08 ng/ml of quercetin, 15.2 ng/ml of hyperoside and 44.4 ng/ml of rutin. Quercitrin had clearly lower effects. The State 3 respiration rate was also affected by flavonoids. Quercetin (from 1.08 ng/ml), hyperoside (from 10 ng/ml) and rutin (from 60 ng/ml) caused the decrease in State 3 respiration rate by 16-51%. We assume, that partial mitochondrial uncoupling (without affecting the State 3 respiration rate) induced by flavonoids could have a cardioprotective effect, and that mitochondria could be involved in the mechanism of this process.

Animals↗

PubMed1982

The interaction of ethanol and swimming upon cardiac mass and mitochondrial function.

Four groups of female Sprague-Dawley rats received a nutritionally adequate liquid diet formulated for rats. Two groups, one ethanol diet and one control diet swam 6 days/wk for 6 weeks and were designated swim ethanol (SWM-E) and swim control (SWM-C) respectively. Their swimming time increased from 15 min/day on the first day to 2 hrs/day during the final week. One sedentary group received an ethanol diet (SED-E) while another sedentary group received a control diet (SED-C). In the ethanol diet 35% of the calories as ethanol isoenergetically replaced dextrin. The group mean body weights were not different at the end of 6 weeks. The left ventricles of both swimming groups showed similar gains in weight, 13% for the ethanol and 15% for the control. Mitochondrial respiration in the ethanol groups showed a significant depression across substrates and across both pupulations of mitochondria (subsarcolemmal and intermyofibrillar). The swimming-ethanol interaction in the SWM-E group caused an atrophy of the gastrocnemius-plantaris muscle as evidenced by the 13% loss in weight of the muscle. We conclude that chronic ingestion of ethanol will suppress mitochondrial respiration in sedentary and swimming exercised rats, but will not suppress cardiac hypertrophy in the swimming exercised rats. Muscles that are not chronically overloaded by swimming, such as the gastrocnemius-plantaris muscles will undergo atrophy during the swimming protocol of 6 weeks.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Interactive effects of HDAC inhibitors and TRAIL on apoptosis are associated with changes in mitochondrial functions and expressions of cell cycle regulatory genes in multiple myeloma.

In this study, we have evaluated the cytotoxic effect of combining two HDAC inhibitors, SAHA and TSA, with TRAIL in human multiple myeloma cell lines. Low doses of SAHA or TSA enhanced the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of TRAIL and upregulated the surface expression of TRAIL death receptors (DR4 and/or DR5). SAHA and TSA induced G1 phase cell cycle growth arrest by upregulating p21(WAF1) and p27(Kip1) expression and by inhibiting E2F transcriptional activity. The enhanced TRAIL effect after pretreatment with HDAC inhibitors was consistent with the upregulation of the proapoptotic Bcl-2 family members (Bim, Bak, Bax, Noxa, and PUMA), the downregulation of the anti-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family (Bcl-2 and Bcl-X(L)), and IAPs. SAHA and TSA dissipated the mitochondrial membrane potential and enhanced the release of Omi/HtrA2 and AIF from the mitochondria to the cytosol. The cytotoxic effect of both SAHA and TSA was caspase- and calpain-independent. Inhibition of NF(kappa)B activation by the proteasome inhibitor, MG132, enhanced the apoptotic effect of TSA. Our study demonstrated the enhancing effects of HDAC inhibitors on apoptosis when combined with TRAIL and, for the first time, emphasized the role of AIF in mediating the cytotoxic effects of HDAC inhibitors.

Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones↗

PubMed1979

Intramitochondrial phospholipase activity and the effects of Ca2+ plus N-ethylmaleimide on mitochondrial function.

Liver mitochondria treated with N-ethylmaleimide can accumulate Ca2+ but cannot retain it. Ca2+ loss following uptake occurs in parallel with a proton uptake and collapse of the membrane potential. Respiration is not activated during Ca2+ release and cannot be stimulated by uncoupler. After Ca2+ release and accompanying phenomena are nearly complete, the mitochondria undergo a large amplitude swelling. Nupercaine inhibits the premature release of Ca2+, proton uptake, decline in membrane potential, inhibition of uncoupler-stimulated respiration, and large amplitude swelling. Ruthenium red also prevents these effects. Neither Sr2+ or Mn2+ will substitute for Ca2+ to induce these effects in N-ethylmaleimide-treated mitochondria. The effects of N-ethylmaleimide plus Ca2+ on mitochondria are not accompanied by a significant alteration in the content or composition of phospholipids but are accompanied by small increases in the mitochondrial content of free fatty acids. Free fatty acids accumulate more rapidly in response to limited Ca2+ loading in the absence of N-ethylmaleimide than they do in its presence. In the absence of N-ethylmaleimide, polyunsaturated fatty acids and saturated plus monounsaturated fatty acids accumulate at nearly equal rates. In the presence of N-ethylmaleimide, polyunsaturated fatty acids accumulate more rapidly than saturated plus monounsaturated fatty acids. Any condition or agent tested which inhibited swelling and the other effects produced by Ca2+ plus N-ethylmaleimide also prevented the more rapid accumulation of polyunsaturated, compared to saturated plus monounsaturated, fatty acids. In the light of a positional analysis of phospholipid acyl moieties, these data suggest that 1-acyllysophospholipids accumulate in swelling mitochondria but not in response to noraml Ca2+ loading or when swelling is blocked by other agents. The free fatty acid accumulation, per se, is not responsible for swelling, but levels of exogenous palmitic acid as low as 1 nmol/mg of protein dramatically alter the dependence of swelling velocity on Ca2+ concentration, producing a shift from a sigmoidal- to a hyperbolic-like relationship. This same alteration is brought about by aging the mitochondrial preparation at 0 degrees C. Either pyruvate or DL-carnitine prevents the effect of exogenous palmitate and restores the Aa2+ swelling dependence of aged N-ethylmaleimide-treated mitochondria to that of fresh N-ethylmaleimide-treated mitochondria. Intramitochondrial acylcoenzyme A or acylcarnitine, or both, therefore, to be the modulator of Ca2+ sensitivity rather than free fatty acid. The findings are discussed in terms of the role of intramitochondrial phospholipase and other phospholipid metabolizing enzymes in the mechanisms of N-ethylmaleimide plus Ca2+ effects on mitochondria.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Comparative study of the effect of paracetamol, phenacetin and amidopyrine on mitochondrial function in isolated rat hepatocytes].

Effects of amidopyrine, phenacetin and paracetamol on the viability and energetic state of isolated rat hepatocytes were compared. During incubation in minimal salt solution all drugs in concentrations above 1 mM in dose-dependent manner decreased the viability of hepatocyte suspension assessed by trypan blue dye inclusion and inhibited the ATP synthesis and the respiratory activity. Cytotoxic effect of chemicals decrease in the order: amidopyrine-->phenacetin-->paracetamol. The inhibition of the rate of endogenous respiration were accompanied by stimulation of oxygen consumption in nonmitochondrial systems. An uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation, 2,4-dinitrophenol, and disruption of plasma membrane by digitonin followed by substrate succinate addition did not restore the respiratory activity of hepatocytes up to the level of control cells. These data show that cytotoxicity of the chemicals is determined by their interaction with enzymes of mitochondrial respiratory chain.

Acetaminophen↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Redox modulation of heat shock protein expression by acetylcarnitine in aging brain: relationship to antioxidant status and mitochondrial function.

There is significant evidence to show that aging is characterized by a stochastic accumulation of molecular damage and by a progressive failure of maintenance and repair processes. Protective mechanisms exist in the brain which are controlled by vitagenes and include members of the heat shock system, heme oxygenase-I, and Hsp70 as critical determinants of brain stress tolerance. Given the broad cytoprotective properties of the heat shock response, molecules inducing this defense mechanism appear to be possible candidates for novel cytoprotective strategies. Acetyl-L-carnitine is proposed as a therapeutic agent for several neurodegenerative disorders, and the present study reports that treatment for 4 months of senescent rats with acetyl-L-carnitine induces heme oxygenase-1 as well as Hsp70 and SOD-2. This effect was associated with upregulation of GSH levels, prevention of age-related changes in mitochondrial respiratory chain complex expression, and decrease in protein carbonyls and HNE formation. We hypothesize that maintenance or recovery of the activity of vitagenes may delay the aging process and decrease the risk of age-related diseases. Particularly, modulation of endogenous cellular defense mechanisms via acetyl-L-carnitine may represent an innovative approach to therapeutic intervention in diseases causing tissue damage, such as neurodegeneration.

Acetylcarnitine↗

PubMed1975

Membrane-lipid unsaturation and mitochondrial function in Saacharomyces cerevisiae.

The lipid composition of yeast cells was manipulated by the use of an unsaturated fatty acid auxotroph of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. There was a 2-3-fold decrease in the concentration of cytochromes a+a3 when the unsaturated fatty acid content of the cells was decreased from 60-70% of the total fatty acid to 20-30%. The amounts of cytochromes b and c were also decreased under these conditions, but to a lesser extent. Further lipid depletion, to proportions of less than 20% unsaturated fatty acid, led to a dramatic decrease in the content of all cytochromes, particularly cytochromes a+a3. The ATPase (adenosine triphosphatase), succinate oxidase and NADH oxidase activities of the isolated mitochondria also varied with the degree of unsaturation of the membrane lipids. The lower the percentage of unsaturated fatty acid, the lower was the enzymic activity. Inhibition of mitochondrial ATPase by oligomycin, on the other hand, was not markedly influenced by the membrane-lipid unsaturation. Npn-linear Arrenius plots of mitochondrial membrane-bound enzymes showed transition temperatures that were dependent on the degree of membrane-lipid unsaturation. The greater the degree of lipid unsaturation, the lower was the transition temperature. It was concluded that the degree of unsaturation of the membrane lipids plays an important role in determining the properties of mitochondrial membrane-bound enzymes.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

PubMed1988

Postnatal development of rat liver mitochondrial functions. The roles of protein synthesis and of adenine nucleotides.

It has been proposed that the acquisition of efficient energy-transducing mitochondria after birth is mediated by an ATP-dependent mechanism "that causes the rapid maturation of mitochondria without requiring either transcription or translation" (Pollak, J. K., and Sutton, R. (1980) Trends Biochem. Sci. 5, 23-27). Investigation of developmental changes in rat liver mitochondria during the first 6 postnatal h showed that fetal mitochondria had low State 4, State 3, and uncoupled rates of respiration, inefficient coupling between respiration and phosphorylation, and low membrane potentials and proton electrochemical gradients under State 4 conditions. In contrast, hepatic mitochondria from 1-h-old neonates showed increased respiratory control and ADP/O ratios and adult proton electrochemical gradient and membrane potential values. In parallel with these changes, mitochondria became enriched in adenine nucleotides and underwent a 50% reduction in matrix volume. During the first postnatal hour, an increase in mitochondrial succinic dehydrogenase, cytochrome c oxidase, and F1-ATPase activities takes place in the neonatal liver concurrent with a preferential postnatal increase in the in vivo rates of protein synthesis for mitochondrial proteins. In particular, the amount of F1-ATPase increased from 109 +/- 9 to 206 +/- 5 ng/microgram of mitochondrial protein in the first hour of postnatal life. Inhibitors of cytosolic protein synthesis present during the first 2 h of life blocked the postnatal increase in respiratory control and ADP/O ratios, succinic dehydrogenase activity, and F1-ATPase content; but they had no effect on the increase in adenine nucleotide concentrations and mitochondrial volume contraction. This indicates that the acquisition of an efficient coupling between respiration and phosphorylation is dependent on de novo protein synthesis and cannot be brought about by the postnatal increase in adenine nucleotides. The increase of State 4 and uncoupled rates of respiration during the first 2 postnatal h was resistant to protein synthesis inhibitors. We suggest that the postnatal increase in these parameters is due to the reduction of mitochondrial volume occurring during that time, which, in turn, may be triggered by the concurrent enrichment in adenine nucleotides.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

PubMed1986

Germination conditions that require mitochondrial function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: utilization of acetate and galactose.

Ascospores of Saccharomyces cerevisiae inherited at least one functioning mitochondrion as shown by their ability to germinate on nonfermentable carbon sources. After transfer to germination medium, the optical density of the culture at 600 nm decreased (phase-dark), reaching a minimum within 60 min in the presence of glucose and within 180 min after transfer to acetate medium; thereafter, the optical density increased. Budding cells first appeared 90 min after transfer to glucose and 150 min after transfer to acetate. Augmentation of respiratory components, respiratory activity, and macromolecular synthesis (except for DNA synthesis) started at about the same time on glucose and on acetate, although the highest values for all these processes were reached in the presence of glucose. Mitochondrial inhibitors which affected germination on acetate did not arrest germination on glucose. However, mitochondrial activity was required for germination on galactose in a strain carrying the mutated allele imp1 of the nucleomitochondrion-connecting gene IMP1.

Acetates↗

PubMed1996

Effect of physical training on mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle of normal and diabetic rats.

The study was designed to assess the impact of physical training on the oxidative phosphorylation rate (OPR) in mitochondria isolated from two different skeletal muscles of rats with or without chronic diabetes mellitus. Diabetes was induced by an intravenous injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg), and only animals with a blood glucose level between 14 and 22 mmol/L 1 week later were kept in the protocol. Exercise training was performed on a treadmill with a progressive 10-week program. Rats were killed by decapitation at the end of the training program, and mitochondria were isolated from the gastrocnemius and the red vastus lateralis muscles. When the data were expressed as per milligrams of protein, OPR was significantly depressed by diabetes mellitus in the mitochondria from each muscle; a similar negative impact also appeared to be produced by physical training in mitochondria isolated from the red vastus lateralis muscle. However, due to changes in mitochondrial protein yield between groups, the capacity to oxidize pyruvate and malate was also calculated per gram of muscle. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production rate appeared to be unaffected by diabetes but significantly increased by training in both muscles of diabetic and nondiabetic rats. This effect of training was not associated with any improvement in plasma glucose or insulin levels in diabetic animals. However, the large increase in plasma levels of beta-hydroxybutyric acid in sedentary diabetic rats was partly reversed by training (1,079 +/- 472 v 3,424 +/- 618 micromol, P < .001). These results suggest that the training-induced increase in the capacity of skeletal muscles to oxidize substrates and generate energy may also contribute to reduce the elevated plasma beta-hydroxybutyric acid levels observed in a state of insulin deficiency. This may have clinical relevance, since ketoacidosis remains a life-threatening event in insulin-dependent diabetic subjects.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗

PubMed2005

Non-beating HL-1 cells for confocal microscopy: application to mitochondrial functions during cardiac preconditioning.

HL-1, the first cell line with a cardiac phenotype for biological experiments, displays spontaneous electrophysiological and mechanical regular activity, and cyclic calcium movements. We isolated a derived line, devoid of transient movements, for confocal microscopy experiments. These cells do express cardiac proteins: connexin 43, the cardiac isoform of dihydropyridine receptors, desmin, and developmental myosin but have no sarcomeric arrangement. They still possess the electrophysiological characteristics and ionic currents of cardiac cells, among them the cardiac potassium current IKr. We also found diazoxide and glibenclamide sensitive potassium channels with properties similar to IK(ATP) in adult cardiac myocytes. The pacemaker current I(f) was not observed, in agreement with the cells showing excitability but lacking in pacemaker activity. The absence of movement is an advantage for studies which include changes of media in order to follow morphological changes under continuous perfusion. We observed however a basal spontaneous movement of mitochondria and we developed a method to quantify its amplitude using confocal microscopy. No mitochondrial depolarization could be detected when the membrane potential was measured by using very low light photomultiplier and confocal fluorescence imaging under the K(ATP) channel opener diazoxide. Thus cardiac pharmacological preconditioning by K(ATP) channel openers might involve other routes than mitochondrial K channels targeting.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗