The effects of iron deficiency on the respiratory function and cytochrome content of rat heart mitochondria.

We have examined the effects of total body iron deficiency on the function of mitochondria isolated from rat hearts. Male Wistar rats were weaned at 21 days and divided into an experimental iron-deficient group and a control group. Both groups received identical diet but an iron supplement (180 mg of ferrous sulfate per kg of diet) was added for the control group. Rats were studied at 7 and 14 weeks. Iron-deficient rats weighed less than controls but showed significantly increased ventricle to body weight ratio at both 7 and 14 weeks, indicating relative cardiac hypertrophy. Isolated mitochondrial fractions from iron-deficient and control rats contained similar proportions of whole homogenate protein and succinic cytochrome c reductase activity, indicating that the fractions isolated from the experimental and control rats were comparable. In iron-deficient rats NADH cytochrome c reductase, succinic cytochrome c reductase, succinic dehydrogenase, and NADH ferricyanide oxidoreductase activities were all significantly reduced at 7 and 14 weeks. Cytochrome c oxidase activity was significantly reduced only at 14 weeks as were the concentrations of cytochromes a3, c1, and b. The rate of oxygen uptake by mitochondria was significantly lower at both 7 and 14 weeks but the P/O ratio was unaltered. We conclude that iron deficiency is associated with impairment of myocardial mitochondrial electron transport.     

A proteasome inhibitor confers cardioprotection

OBJECTIVE: In several cell types, proteasome inhibitors like carbobenzoxyl-leucinyl-leucinyl-leucinal (MG132) induce the 72 kDa heat shock protein (Hsp72) and exert cell protective effects. However, data in cardiomyocytes are currently lacking. METHODS AND RESULTS: We investigated the effects of MG132 in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. MG132 time- and concentration-dependently induced Hsp72 and Hsp32 at mRNA and protein levels. Although Hsp60 mRNA was induced, Hsp60 protein levels were not altered. MG132 activated p38 MAP kinase already after 0.5 h. Hsp mRNA induction started after 2 h of MG132 treatment. Subsequently, Hsp72 and Hsp32 protein levels were increased after 4 h. SB202190, an inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase, concentration-dependently attenuated MG132-induced Hsp72-and Hsp32-elevations (by 59% and 41%, respectively, at 1 microM SB202190). In contrast, herbimycin A, a known inductor of Hsp72 in cardiomyocytes, enhanced the MG132-induced Hsp72 and Hsp32 expression even further: additionally applied 2 microM herbimycin A induced Hsp72 and Hsp32 about 2-fold higher than 1 microM MG132 alone. MG132 (1 microM) decreased the hyperthermia- or hydrogen peroxide-induced release of lactate dehydrogenase by 45% and by 35%, respectively (P<0.05, n=5). MG132 (1 microM) prolonged the spontaneous beating time of cardiomyocytes at 46 degrees C from 5+/-2 min (control hyperthermia) to 28+/-5 min (P<0.05, n=4). Thus, inhibition of the proteasome function by MG132 protects cardiomyocytes against hyperthermic or oxidative injury. This protective effect and Hsp induction were abolished by 1 microM SB202190. CONCLUSION: Proteasome inhibition results in p38 MAP kinase-dependent induction of Hsp72 and Hsp32 and might be a novel cardioprotective modality.     

Metabolic dysfunction and depletion of mitochondria in hearts of septic rats

Our previous studies indicate that hearts from septic rats have decreased work with oxygen wasting. The present studies test if there is energy deficit, changes in cardiac mitochondrial content and caspase activation during sepsis. Anesthetized, male Sprague-Dawley rats received no surgical treatment (control), laparotomy (sham), or laparotomy with cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) to induce polymicrobial septic shock. Hearts were isolated 12-14 h later. Cardiac work, oxygen consumption, substrate oxidation and energy stores were measured in perfused hearts. Normalized density of mitochondria was determined in ventricles without perfusion by morphometric analysis with electron microscopy. Citrate synthase activity was assessed in homogenates and isolated mitochondria. Cardiac work decreased significantly in CLP (47%), while oxygen consumption and glucose oxidation were unchanged compared with control or sham hearts (oxygen and substrate wasting). Tissue adenosine triphosphate, creatine phosphate and glycogen were lower in CLP hearts (energy deficit). Mitochondrial grid intersects decreased significantly from 151 +/- 8 sham to 130 +/- 4 CLP out of 361 possible intersects and autophagy was observed in CLP hearts. Total activity of citrate synthase decreased in homogenates (99 +/- 8 micromol/min/g wet weight sham vs. 62 +/- 7 CLP, P < 0.05) and in the mitochondrial fraction (27 +/- 1 micromol/min/g wet weight sham to 22 +/- 1 CLP, P < 0.05). Calculated mitochondrial content decreased from 63 +/- 4 mg protein/g wet weight sham to 46 +/- 5 CLP, P < 0.05 (mitochondrial depletion). Caspase-3 activity doubled and tumor necrosis factor alpha content tripled in CLP hearts. CONCLUSIONS. - Oxygen and substrate wasting in CLP occurs with fewer mitochondria and energy deficit, processes that are coincident with caspase-3 activation.     

Effect of age on Hsp72 expression in leukocytes of healthy active people

Aging mammalians show reduced expression and induction of cytoprotective heat shock proteins in response to physiological stresses. Physical training can increase Hsp72 expression in young and old animals, but whether same adaptations can be observed in old people remains unknown. We hypothesized that the maintenance of physical activity during aging should preserve Hsp72 expression in leukocytes of elderly people. Intracellular and surface Hsp72 (the inducible form of Hsp70) expression in leukocytes as well as apoptotic and necrotic leukocytes were measured by flow cytometry at rest and after maximal incremental test on treadmill in the following groups: 8 young subjects (25.3+/-0.6 year, G25), 12 sexagenarians (66.2+/-1 year, G65) and 9 octogenarians (82.2+/-1.2 year, G85), all physically active. Protein and lipid oxidation markers were also measured at rest and post-exercise. Results showed significant lower basal percentages of Hsp72-positive lymphocytes in G85 compared to G25. At rest, lower mean fluorescence intensity in Hsp72-positive monocytes was measured in G65 and G85 compared to G25, and in granulocytes from G85 compared to G25. Maximal exercise test induced systemic oxidative-stress in the three groups but did not induce any increase in apoptotic or necrotic cells. We observed a significant increase in the percentage of Hsp72-positive lymphocytes from G85. This study showed that maintaining physical activity during aging can preserve the ability to induce Hsp72 in response to physiological stress.     

Induction of the heat shock response in rats modulates heart rate, creatine kinase and protein synthesis after a subsequent hyperthermic treatment

STUDY OBJECTIVE - The aim of the study was to examine the effect of prior induction of the heat shock response on heat shock protein synthesis and physiological variables relevant to the shock response. DESIGN - Synthesis of heat shock protein (SP71, molecular mass 71,000) was induced in rats by 15 min hyperthermia (42 degrees C). Protein synthesis, heart rate, blood pressure and creatine kinase activity were determined in comparison with controls (no heat shock) and a group receiving two heat shock treatments 24 h apart (prior induction group). SUBJECTS - 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats (125-150 g) were used, divided into three groups: controls (n = 4), heat shock X 1 (HS, n = 11), heat shock X 2 (2 X HS, n = 9). Heat shock was induced under anaesthesia on a heating pad. MEASUREMENTS and RESULTS - Blood pressure and heart rate were measured at the beginning of the hyperthermia period, when body temperature first reached 42 degrees C (t = 0 min) and at the end of the hyperthermia treatment (t = 15 min). At t = 0 min systolic blood pressure and heart rate were increased compared to the control values in both HS and 2 X HS groups. At t = 15 min heart rate in the HS group was increased to 554 (SEM21) beats.min-1 v control 465(19) (p less than 0.05). In the 2 X HS group, heart rate of 494(14) beats.min-1 at t = 15 min was not significantly different from control. At t = 15 min, creatine kinase values in the hyperthermia treatment groups were not different from control. However at 2.5 h after hyperthermic treatment plasma creatine kinase was increased in the HS group to 481(83) mU.ml-1 (n = 6) v 223(20) in controls, but was not increased in the 2 X HS group [178(64), n = 4]. Rats were radiolabelled for 2 h with 1.0 mCi of [35S]-methionine 30 min after hyperthermic treatment in HS group and 30 min after the second hyperthermic treatment in 2 X HS group. Following the 2 X HS treatment, synthesis of SP71, though increased above control values, was lower than in the HS group. CONCLUSIONS - The reduction in heart rate, plasma creatine kinase and synthesis of SP71 following a second hyperthermic exposure could be caused by a protective influence of the first exposure.     

The influence of age on steroidogenic enzyme activities of the rat adrenal gland: enhanced expression of cholesterol side-chain cleavage activity

The ability of isolated adrenocortical cells to secrete corticosterone in response to ACTH challenge declines as rats age, but the site or mechanism(s) of this impairment is still unknown. To test the functionality of steroidogenic capacity per se, we measured the key enzyme activities involved in corticosterone biosynthesis. We also measured the mitochondrial cytochrome P-450 content and nonsteroidogenic enzymes specific for subcellular fractions. Mitochondria and microsomal fractions were isolated from the adrenals of 2-, 12-, and 18-month-old animals and used for various enzyme measurements. Mitochondrial side-chain cleavage enzyme activity (nanomoles per min mg protein-1) increased from a mean of 0.43 +/- 0.06 in 2-month-old rats to 1.26 +/- 0.11 and 1.51 +/- 0.06 in 12- and 18-month old rats, respectively. After incubation with 5-cholesten-3 beta,25-diol (25-hydroxycholesterol; 25 micrograms/ml) side-chain cleave activity rose to 5.0 +/- 0.6, 12.4 +/- 1.2, and 16 +/- 1.4 nmol min-1 mg protein-1 in adrenal mitochondrial fractions from 2-, 12-, and 18-month-old rats, respectively. In contrast, mitochondrial cytochrome P-450 content did not vary with advancing age. Microsomal delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-delta 5-delta 4-isomerase activities were similar in 2- and 12-month-old rats, but 21-hydroxylase (nanomoles per min mg protein-1) activity was significantly increased in 12-month-old rats (2-month-old, 5.2 +/- 0.2; 12-month-old, 7.7 +/- 0.5). Finally, mitochondrial 11 beta-hydroxylase was comparable in both age groups. In addition, activities of mitochondrial nonsteroidogenic enzymes, such as monoamine oxidase, amytal insensitive NADH cytochrome c reductase, cytochrome c oxidase, succinate dehydrogenase, and malate dehydrogenase, did not change with age. It appears from the evidence presented that the activities of the steroidogenic enzymes are not responsible for the diminished capacity in corticosterone production seen with aging in the rat.     

Mechanism of cardioprotection following trauma-hemorrhagic shock by a selective estrogen receptor-beta agonist: up-regulation of cardiac heat shock factor-1 and heat shock proteins

Although 17beta-estradiol (E2) administration following trauma-hemorrhage (T-H) improves cardiac function in male rodents, it is not known whether the salutary effects of E2 are mediated via estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha or ER-beta, and whether cardiac heat shock proteins (Hsp) are affected by E2 administration. Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent T-H (mean BP 40 mmHg for 90 min, then resuscitation). ER-alpha agonist propyl pyrazole triol (PPT) (5 microg/kg), ER-beta agonist diarylpropiolnitrile (DPN) (5 microg/kg), or vehicle (10% DMSO) was injected subcutaneously during resuscitation. At 24 h after T-H or sham operation, cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), mean blood pressure, and +/- dP/dt max were measured (n=6 rats per group). Cardiac Hsp32, 60, 70, and 90 mRNA/protein expressions and heat shock factor (HSF)-1 DNA binding activity were determined. One-way ANOVA and Tukey's test were used for statistical analysis. CO, SV and +/- dP/dt(max) decreased significantly after T-H, however, administration of ER-beta agonist DPN after T-H restored the above parameters. Moreover, DPN treatment prevented T-H-mediated decrease in Hsp60 mRNA/protein and Hsp90 protein expressions in the heart. Hsp32 and Hsp70 mRNA/protein expression and HSF-1 DNA binding activity in the hearts were increased even above the shams in DPN treated T-H rats. In contrast, no significant change in the above parameters was observed in T-H rats treated with ER-alpha agonist PPT. Thus, the salutary effects of E2 on cardiac function are mediated via ER-beta and ER-beta-induced up-regulation of Hsp likely plays a significant role in the E2-mediated cardioprotection after T-H.     

Identification of a mammalian 10-kDa heat shock protein, a mitochondrial chaperonin 10 homologue essential for assisted folding of trimeric ornithine transcarbamoylase in vitro.

We have identified a 10-kDa stress-inducible mitochondrial protein. The protein is synthesized at elevated rates in cultured rat hepatoma cells challenged with heat shock or amino acid analogues and, therefore, designated heat shock protein 10 (Hsp10). Hsp10 was purified to homogeneity from rat liver and found to exhibit a native molecular mass of 65 kDa, as opposed to a monomeric molecular mass of 10,813.4 +/- 0.41 Da. The amino acid sequence of rat Hsp10 disclosed extensive sequence similarity with bacterial chaperonin (Cpn) 10. Rat Hsp10 and Escherichia coli Cpn60 were used to reconstitute functional trimeric rat ornithine transcarbamoylase from a chemically denatured state with high efficiency. This process depended completely upon rat Hsp10 and was abolished in the presence of a nonhydrolyzable ATP analogue. We conclude that Hsp10 is a eukaryotic Cpn10 homologue and, therefore, together with Cpn60 essential for mitochondrial protein biogenesis. The Cpn-mediated protein-folding apparatus, thus, exhibits a high degree of conservation between prokaryotes and mitochondria of higher eukaryotes.     

Protective effects of a PGI2 analogue OP-2507 on hemorrhagic shock in rats--with an evaluation of the metabolic recovery using near-infrared optical monitoring.

The protective effects of the PGI2 analogue, OP-2507 against hypoxic tissue injury were investigated in a 60-70 min acute hemorrhagic shock model in 29 rats. To assess the metabolic recovery of mitochondria after tissue injury induced by hemorrhagic hypotension with a mean arterial pressure of 30 mmHg, we have non-invasively monitored changes in the brain tissue parameters of cyt. aa3 redox state, blood oxygenation and relative blood volume by spectrophotometry through the closed skull and intact skin. Pretreatment with 0.1 mg/Kg s.c. of OP-2507 at 30-40 min before induction of shock was performed on 14 rats (OP-treated group). The remaining 15 rats were used as a control (control group). There was a consistent prolongation of survival time and a significant improvement in survival rate after reinfusion of the shed blood in the OP-treated group. In this group there was a rapid and complete reoxidation of cyt. aa3 with a mean overshoot of 9 +/- 5.5% above the baseline value after reinfusion. On the other hand, in the control group the extent of reoxidation was significantly lower, with a minimal 11 +/- 3.2% below the base line. In order to evaluate the mechanisms involved 10 mg of NaCN i.v. was administered to the living rats at 60-70 min after reinfusion of the blood in both groups. In the OP-treated group, brain Hb saturation increased up to 20% above the pre-cyanide infusion level. However in the control group there was a non-significant increase in the Hb oxygenation level. These observation indicate that in the OP-treated group oxygen consumption by mitochondria is significantly higher than that in the control group. Thus, enhanced oxygen utilization could lead to the active restoration of injured tissue by promoting oxidative phosphorylation. Under these experimental conditions the oxidative response of cyt. aa3 is concluded to correlate closely with the prognosis of shock animals in both groups. These results indicate the potential usefulness of OP-2507 in protecting the brain and other organs from oxygen insufficiency as a result of tissue ischemia and anoxia.     

Habitual low-intensity exercise does not protect against myocardial dysfunction after ischemia in rats.

BACKGROUND: It is well established that participation in a chronic exercise program can reduce coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors and improve myocardial tolerance to ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury. Low-intensity exercise programs are known to be effective in reducing CHD risk factors in humans and rats, but whether similar programs are of sufficient intensity to improve intrinsic tolerance to I-R injury has not been established. Thus, the purpose of this study is to determine whether low-intensity exercise provides self-protection to the heart against I-R injury. METHODS: Male, Sprague-Dawley rats were exercised on a treadmill at an intensity of 55-60% VO2max, 40 min/day, 5 days/week for 16 weeks. Reperfusion injury following 20 min of global ischemia was evaluated using the isolated perfused working heart model. Left ventricular content of the cytoprotective protein heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) was determined by Western blotting. RESULTS: The exercise program elevated HSP70 2.7-fold, but did not provide enhanced protection following 20 min of ischemia. Final post-ischemic recovery of cardiac external work was 63+/-9% of pre-ischemic value in the sedentary group (n=9) and 51+/-11% in the exercising group (n=9) (P>0.05). Post-ischemic lactate dehydrogenase release was also similar between groups and the magnitude of release was low, consistent with stunning. CONCLUSIONS: Regular exercise at 55-60% VO2max is below the threshold intensity necessary to induce intrinsic cardioprotection against I-R injury. Furthermore, elevated myocardial HSP70 is not necessarily a marker of improved protection against dysfunction associated with stunning.     

Effects of exercise on mitochondrial content and function in aging human skeletal muscle

Skeletal muscle mitochondria are implicated with age-related loss of function and insulin resistance. We examined the effects of exercise on skeletal muscle mitochondria in older (age = 67.3 +/- 0.6 years) men (n = 5) and women (n = 3). Similar increases in (p <.01) cardiolipin (88.2 +/- 9.0 to 130.6 +/- 7.5 microg/mU creatine kinase activity [CK]) and the total mitochondrial DNA (1264 +/- 170 to 1895 +/- 273 copies per diploid of nuclear genome) reflected increased mitochondria content. Succinate oxidase activity, complexes 2-4 of the electron transport chain (ETC), increased from 0.13 +/- 0.02 to 0.20 +/- 0.02 U/mU CK (p <.01). This improvement was more pronounced (p <.05) in subsarcolemmal (127 +/- 48%) compared to intermyofibrillar (56 +/- 12%) mitochondria. NADH oxidase activity, representing total ETC activity, increased from 0.51 +/- 0.09 to 1.00 +/- 0.09 U/mU CK (p <.01). In conclusion, exercise enhances mitochondria ETC activity in older human skeletal muscle, particularly in subsarcolemmal mitochondria, which is likely related to the concomitant increases in mitochondrial biogenesis.     

The mechanism of the prolonged stimulatory effect of corticotrophin on pregnenolone production by guinea-pig adrenocortical mitochondria

The postulated prolonged stimulatory influence of ACTH on the adrenocortical mitochondrial synthesis of pregnenolone in response to ACTH was studied in adrenal mitochondria isolated from control guinea-pigs and from animals treated s.c. with 100 micrograms ACTH(1-24) twice daily on the day before the animals were killed. The animals from both groups were injected with 100 micrograms ACTH s.c. 30 min before killing. The mitochondrial production of pregnenolone (expressed in nmol per mg mitochondrial protein after 10-min incubation) increased from 1.52 +/- 0.46 (S.E.M.) in the control group to 4.50 +/- 0.59 for mitochondria from ACTH-treated animals, despite a similar free cholesterol content in the mitochondria, even when determined after a previous in-vivo treatment with aminoglutethimide to block further metabolism of cholesterol into pregnenolone. In addition, in the presence of an excess of exogenous cholesterol (100 mumol/l), the production of pregnenolone remained higher for mitochondria from ACTH-treated animals. In contrast, when the calcium concentration in the incubation medium was raised to 1 mmol/l, with subsequent enhancement in pregnenolone synthesis, the mitochondrial pregnenolone production became similar for both groups (8.28 +/- 1.11 nmol in the ACTH-treated group and 9.55 +/- 1.90 nmol in the control group), even in the presence of 100 mumol cholesterol/l (13.5 +/- 1.80 nmol in ACTH-treated animals and 14.8 +/- 1.93 nmol in controls). Cycloheximide treatment administered on the day before the animals were killed was without any effect on pregnenolone production in control animals (3.51 +/- 0.43 nmol before and 3.65 +/- 0.63 nmol after cycloheximide treatment).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Influence of hemorrhagic shock on hepatic energy metabolism in carbon tetrachloride-induced cirrhotic rats

The influence of hemorrhagic shock on hepatic energy metabolism was investigated in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced cirrhotic rat. In normal and CCl4-treated rats, the hepatic mitochondrial redox state and phosphorylative activity decreased significantly (P less than 0.001) following hemorrhagic shock, with mean arterial blood pressure at 30 mmHg. In normal rats, they were immediately restored upon reinfusion of shed blood after 2 hr of hemorrhagic shock, followed by marked enhancement 120 min later. By contrast, in cirrhotic rats redox state and phosphorylative activity in hepatic mitochondria did not recover immediately, and there was neither elevation of redox state nor enhancement of phosphorylative activity in hepatic mitochondria. The survival rate at 24 hr was 10% in contrast to 90% in normal rats. These results suggest that the absence of early recovery followed by enhancement of mitochondrial function in the cirrhotic liver is fundamentally related to the mechanism of hepatic failure following hemorrhagic shock.     

Benzoic acid metabolism reflects hepatic mitochondrial function in rats with long-term extrahepatic cholestasis

Benzoic acid metabolism, which is primarily a function of liver mitochondria, depending on the concentration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), coenzyme A (CoA), and glycine in the mitochondrial matrix, was investigated in both rats with long-term cholestasis caused by bile duct ligation (BDL) and sham-operated control rats. In isolated liver mitochondria, hippurate production from benzoate in the presence of saturating glycine concentrations was reduced in BDL rats by 36% with L-glutamate as a source for ATP, by 21% in the presence of succinate, and by 31% in the presence of ATP plus oligomycine. This reduction in benzoate metabolism is in the same range as the previously observed reduction in the activity of the electron transport chain in liver mitochondria from BDL rats. The mitochondrial CoA pool, which can be rate-limiting for benzoic acid metabolism, was not different between BDL and control rats. The activity of benzoyl-CoA synthase, the enzyme catalyzing the rate-limiting step in benzoate metabolism, was reduced by 25%, and the activity of benzoyl-CoA:glycine N-transferase was reduced by 66% in BDL rats. The activity of benzoyl-CoA synthase was significantly inhibited by lithocholate, suggesting that hepatic accumulation of hydrophobic bile acids could contribute to the observed reduction of benzoate metabolism in BDL rats. Benzoate metabolism was also studied in vivo by monitoring the urinary hippurate excretion after intraperitoneal administration of benzoate (100 μmol/100 g of body weight). The time course of hippurate excretion was not different between BDL and control rats. Hippurate excretion over 24 hours after benzoate administration averaged 89.7 +/- 4.0% of the administered dose in BDL and 74.4 +/- 6.9% (mean +/- SEM, difference not significant) in control rats. This finding could be explained by an increase in mitochondrial protein in BDL rats, averaging 2.34 +/- 0.29 g per liver in BDL and 1.35 +/- 0.07 g per liver in control rats (mean +/- SEM, p < .05). Thus, the studies show that benzoate metabolism reflects mitochondrial function in BDL rats both in vivo and in vitro, and that mitochondrial proliferation compensates for the observed decrease in benzoic acid metabolism in isolated mitochondria in vitro.(Hepatology 1997 Feb;25(2):278-83)     

Maternally administered melatonin protects against ischemia and reperfusion-induced oxidative mitochondrial damage in premature fetal rat brain

We investigated the oxidative susceptibility of the brain and the effect of maternally administered melatonin on ischemia/reperfusion-induced cerebral damage in premature fetal rat. Fetal brain mitochondria was separated on the 16th and 19th days of pregnant rats and the respiratory control index (RCI) was measured as an indicator of mitochondrial respiratory activity in the presence or absence of xanthine and xanthine oxidase. The utero-ovarian arteries were occluded bilaterally for 20 min in female rats on day 16 of pregnancy to induce fetal ischemia. Reperfusion was achieved by releasing the occlusion and restoring circulation for 30 min. A sham operation was performed in control rats. Melatonin (10 mg/kg) or vehicle was injected intraperitoneally into the dams 60 min prior to occlusion. The RCI and concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in fetal brain mitochondria were measured. The addition of xanthine and xanthine oxidase significantly decreased mitochondrial RCI at both the 16- and 19-day-old fetal brain. Xanthine and xanthine oxidase-induced reduction in RCI was significantly greater in the 16-day-old fetal brain than that in the fetal brain from the 19th day of pregnancy. Ischemia/reperfusion significantly reduced RCI and elevated TBARS concentrations in the 16-day-old fetal brain mitochondria. Melatonin treatment reversed ischemia/reperfusion-induced reduction in RCI (2.22 +/- 0.10 to 2.53 +/- 0.08, P < 0.01) and elevation in TBARS concentrations (13.50 +/- 1.82 nmol/mg protein to 8.80 +/- 0.78 nmol/mg protein, P < 0.01), resulting in values similar to those in untreated, sham-treated animals. Results indicate that brain mitochondria in the premature fetal rats appear to be more susceptible to oxidative damage. Melatonin administration to pregnant rats may prevent ischemia/reperfusion-induced oxidative mitochondrial damage in premature fetal brain.     

Melatonin protects fetal rat brain against oxidative mitochondrial damage

Our objective was to investigate the effects of melatonin on the free radical-induced oxidative damage to mitochondria in fetal rat brain. Female Wistar rats on day 19 of pregnancy were used. Melatonin (10 mg/kg) or vehicle (control) was injected intraperitoneally 60 min prior to laparotomy for removal of the fetuses. The mitochondrial fraction was isolated from the fetal rat brain of each group. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were measured. As indicators of mitochondrial respiratory activity, we determined the respiratory control index (RCI) and the adenosine 5-diphosphate/oxygen (ADP/O) ratio in the presence and absence of 2.5 microM hypoxanthine and 0.02 units/mL xanthine oxidase. Mitochondrial lipid peroxidation was determined by measuring the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in fetal brain mitochondria in the presence or absence of 2.5 microM hypoxanthine, 0.02 units/mL xanthine oxidase, and 50 microM FeSO4. The free radical-induced rates of inhibition of mitochondrial RCI and the ADP/O ratio were both significantly lower in the fetal rat brains treated with melatonin compared with those of the controls (RCI, 44.25 +/- 15.02% vs. 25.18 +/- 5.86%, P < 0.01; ADP/O ratio, 50.74 +/- 23.05% vs. 13.90 +/- 7.80%, P < 0.001). The mitochondrial lipid peroxidation induced by free radicals was significantly reduced in the melatonin-treated group compared with the controls (484.2 +/- 147.2%) vs. 337.6 +/- 61.0%, P < 0.01). Pretreatment with melatonin significantly increased the activity of GSH-Px (20.35 +/- 5.27 to 28.93 +/- 11.01 mU/min mg(-1) protein, P < 0.05) in fetal rat brain mitochondria, but the activity of SOD did not change significantly. Results indicate that the administration of melatonin to the pregnant rat may prevent the free radical-induced oxidative mitochondrial damage to fetal rat brain by a direct antioxidant effect and the activation of GSH-Px.     

Stimulation of Mitochondrial Adenosine Diphosphate Uptake by Thyroid Hormones

Thyroid hormone administered in vivo increased carrier-mediated (atractyloside-sensitive) ADP uptake by rat liver mitochondria. 3 Days after a single large dose of triiodothyronine (20 mug/100 g of body weight), mitochondrial uptake of ADP measured at 6 degrees was 2.35 +/- 0.17 nmol/min per mg of protein, compared with an uptake of 1.81 +/- 0.19 nmol/min per mg of protein in mitochondria from untreated rats (P < 0.025). Cyanide (1.33 mM) had no effect on ADP uptake by mitochondria from either untreated or triiodothyronine-treated animals. Uptake of ADP by mitochondria from thyroidectomized rats treated with thyroxine for 7 days was 2.89 +/- 0.40 nmol/min per mg in mitochondria from thyrotoxic rats (20 mug of thyroxine per 100 g per day) and 1.98 +/- 0.22 nmol/min per mg in mitochondria from euthyroid rats (2 mug of thyroxine per 100 g per day) (P < 0.025). Mitochondria from both untreated and thyroid hormone-treated rats displayed a highly significant linear correlation between ADP uptake and ADP-dependent (i.e., state 3 minus state 4) oxygen consumption. There was, however, no difference in respiratory control ratios between mitochondria from euthyroid and thyrotoxic animals. Administration of dinitrophenol (2 mg/100 g) also stimulated carrier-mediated ADP uptake, but respiratory control of mitochondria from dinitrophenol-treated animals was virtually abolished. Triiodothyronine in vitro, at concentrations of 100 and 0.1 nM, appeared to inhibit rather than stimulate the uptake of mitochondrial ADP. The relationship between these observations and the clinical manifestations of thyrotoxicosis is discussed from the point of view of the possible effects of increased mitochondrial ADP transport on oxidative phosphorylation and adenosyl nucleotide metabolism.     

Age-dependent decrease in the cytochrome c oxidase activity and changes in phospholipids in rat-heart mitochondria

The effect of aging on the kinetic characteristics of cytochrome c oxidase in rat heart mitochondria was investigated. Mitochondria from young and aged rats had equivalent Km values for cytochrome c, while the maximal activity of the oxidase was significantly reduced in mitochondria from aged rats. The cytochrome aa3 content was the same in both these two types of mitochondria. The Arrhenius plot characteristics differ for cytochrome oxidase activity in mitochondria from aged rats as compared with young rats in that the breakpoint of the biphasic plot was shifted to a higher temperature. Cardiolipin content was markedly decreased in mitochondrial membrane from aged rats. No alterations were found in the patterns of the phospholipid fatty acid distribution of mitochondrial membranes from young and aged rats. The results support the conclusion that the reduced mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase activity in aged animals is due to a specific decrease in the cardiolipin content.     

Calcium accumulating ability of mitochondria from bovine coronary artery. Comparison with aortic mitochondria

The calcium accumulating ability of mitochondria isolated both from bovine coronary artery and aorta was investigated. Coronary artery and aorta were pretreated with 0.1% collagenase. Cytochrome c oxidase activities of mitochondria isolated from coronary artery and aorta showed 25-fold and 19-fold increases, respectively, as compared with those of each homogenate, whereas NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, potassium-phosphatase and Na+-K+ ATPase activities increased less than 2-fold. This suggests that the isolation procedure is capable of obtaining a subcellular fraction highly enriched with mitochondria. Mitochondrial calcium uptake activity of the coronary artery was approximately 250 nmoles Ca2+/mg protein/10 min, and was markedly depressed with metabolic inhibitors such as NaN3, ruthenium red and 2,4-dinitrophenol. Calcium uptake activity of bovine aortic mitochondria showed similar activity and a similar trend in sensitivity to metabolic inhibitors. By contrast, the onset of the calcium binding reaction of the aortic mitochondria was slower and the azide-sensitivity of the mitochondria to magnesium ATPase activity was lower than those for coronary artery mitochondria. The present study has provided a method for isolation of mitochondria with a high capacity of calcium uptake activity, which may prove meaningful for future physiological and pharmacological evaluation of mitochondrial calcium accumulation in vascular smooth muscle.     

Melatonin protects against ischemia/reperfusion-induced oxidative damage to mitochondria in fetal rat brain

We investigated the effects of melatonin on ischemia/reperfusion-induced oxidative damage to mitochondria in fetal rat brain. The utero-ovarian arteries were occluded bilaterally for 20 min in female Wistar rats on day 19 of pregnancy to induce fetal ischemia. Reperfusion was achieved by releasing the occlusion and restoring circulation for 30 min. A sham operation was performed in control rats. Melatonin (10 mg/kg) or vehicle was injected intraperitoneally 60 min prior to occlusion. We measured the respiratory control index (RCI) and the adenosine 5-diphosphate (ADP)/oxygen ratio as indicators of mitochondrial respiratory activity, as well as the concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in the mitochondria of fetal brain. Ischemia/reperfusion significantly elevated the concentration of TBARS and significantly reduced the RCI as well as the ADP/oxygen ratio. Melatonin treatment reversed the ischemia/reperfusion-induced reductions in the RCI (2.29 +/- 0.06-2.64 +/- 0.09, P < 0.05) and in the ADP/oxygen ratio (1.48 +/- 0.03-1.57 +/- 0.02, P < 0.05), and also reduced the elevation in concentration of TBARS (11.00 +/- 0.34-7.57 +/- 0.74 nM/mg protein, P < 0.01), resulting in values similar to those in untreated, sham-ischemic animals. The results indicate that administration of melatonin to pregnant rats may prevent ischemia/reperfusion-induced oxidative mitochondrial damage in fetal rat brain.