Influence of propolis water solution on heart mitochondrial function

The effect of propolis water solution (PWS) on the respiration of rat heart mitochondria with NAD-linked (pyruvate + malate), FAD-linked (succinate) substrates and fatty acids (palmitoyl-L-carnitine) was investigated in this study. PWS at the lowest concentration of 4 microg mL(-1) of phenolic compounds (PC) had no effect on mitochondrial respiration with all investigated substrates. PWS at concentrations of 63 and 125 microg mL(-1) of PC caused a significant decrease of basal (24 and 54%) and maximal (58 and 70%) respiration rates with succinate as substrate. At these PWS concentrations the oxidation of pyruvate + malate and palmitoyl-L-carnitine was diminished to a lower degree: the basal respiration rate decreased by 13-18% and the maximal respiration rate by 15-28%. Succinate oxidation was affected, probably because of the inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase by the 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid esters found in PWS. The PWS-caused decrease in the mitochondrial respiration rate with pyruvate + malate and fatty acids could be due to diminished activities of respiratory chain complexes and/or ADP/ATP translocator.     

Levosimendan is a mitochondrial K(ATP) channel opener.

Levosimendan, a new inodilator developed for the treatment of heart failure has been shown to have a vasodilatory effect via opening of K(ATP) channels in the plasma membrane of vascular smooth muscle cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of levosimendan on the mitochondrial K(ATP) channel. This compound did not influence mitochondrial transmembrane potential (DeltaPsi), and at up to 2.2 microM had no effect on the respiration rate of rat liver mitochondria, respiring on 5 mM succinate (+5 microM rotenone). A sensitive method was developed for assessing K(ATP) channel opening activity employing rat liver mitochondria, respiring only on endogenous substrates in the presence of 400 microM ATP and 1 microg oligomycin/mg mitochondrial protein. In this model, levosimendan (0.7-2.6 microM) decreased DeltaPsi by 6.5-40.4% (n=3, incubation time 15 min). This effect was dependent on the K+ concentration in the incubation medium and was abolished by the selective blocker of the mitochondrial K(ATP) channel-5-hydroxydecanoate (200 microM). Our results indicate that levosimendan opens mitochondrial K(ATP) channels.     

Reactive oxygen species are involved in the stimulation of the mitochondrial permeability transition by dihydrolipoate

Dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) has been found to stimulate the Ca(2+)-induced mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) in rat liver mitochondria (RLM) [Biochem. Mol. Biol. Int. 44 (1998) 127] which could be due to its prooxidant properties. We therefore investigated whether DHLA stimulated superoxide anion (O(2)(.-)) generation in RLM and in bovine heart submitochondrial particles (SMP). In RLM DHLA caused a concentration-dependent O(2)(.-) generation assayed by lucigenin chemiluminiscence. The stimulation was seen with the lowest concentrations of DHLA (5 microM) with pyruvate as the respiratory substrate, with 2-oxoglutarate or especially succinate the stimulation was less pronounced. Stimulation of O(2)(.-) production by DHLA was also observed in bovine heart SMP using an electron spin-trapping technique. Radical scavengers (butylhydroxytoluene and TEMPO) decreased O(2)(.-) generation induced by DHLA and inhibited MPT. Slight reduction of the mitochondrial membrane potential by a small amount of a protonophorous uncoupling agent also delayed the DHLA-induced MPT. These data indicate that the stimulation of MPT by DHLA is due to DHLA-derived prooxidants, i.e. stimulated production of O(2)(.-) and possibly other free radicals.     

Diazoxide acts more as a PKC-epsilon activator, and indirectly activates the mitochondrial K(ATP) channel conferring cardioprotection against hypoxic injury

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diazoxide, a well-known opener of the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (mitoK(ATP)) channel, has been demonstrated to exert cardioprotective effect against ischemic injury through the mitoK(ATP) channel and protein kinase C (PKC). We aimed to clarify the role of PKC isoforms and the relationship between the PKC isoforms and the mitoK(ATP) channel in diazoxide-induced cardioprotection. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: In H9c2 cells and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, PKC-epsilon activation was examined by Western blotting and kinase assay. Flavoprotein fluorescence, mitochondrial Ca(2+) and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured by confocal microscopy. Cell death was determined by TUNEL assay. KEY RESULTS: Diazoxide (100 microM) induced translocation of PKC-epsilon from the cytosolic to the mitochondrial fraction. Specific blockade of PKC-epsilon by either epsilonV1-2 or dominant negative mutant PKC-epsilon (PKC-epsilon KR) abolished the anti-apoptotic effect of diazoxide. Diazoxide-induced flavoprotein oxidation was inhibited by either epsilonV1-2 or PKC-epsilon KR transfection. Treatment with 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD) did not affect translocation and activation of PKC-epsilon induced by diazoxide. Transfection with wild type PKC-epsilon mimicked the flavoprotein-oxidizing effect of diazoxide, and this effect was completely blocked by epsilonV1-2 or 5-HD. Diazoxide prevented the increase in mitochondrial Ca(2+), mitochondrial depolarization and cytochrome c release induced by hypoxia and all these effects of diazoxide were blocked by epsilonV1-2 or 5-HD. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Diazoxide induced isoform-specific translocation of PKC-epsilon as an upstream signaling molecule for the mitoK(ATP) channel, rendering cardiomyocytes resistant to hypoxic injury through inhibition of the mitochondrial death pathway.     

Inhibition of the mitochondrial ATP synthesis by polygodial, a naturally occurring dialdehyde unsaturated sesquiterpene

Polygodial is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene dialdehyde that exhibits several pharmacologically interesting activities. Among them, its antifungal properties have been more thoroughly studied. The mitochondrial ATPase has been suggested as one of the possible targets for polygodial action. However, its mechanism of action is not well defined yet. The effect of polygodial on the mitochondrial energy metabolism is described in this paper. Polygodial inhibited ATP synthesis coupled to succinate oxidation in beef-heart submitochondrial particles at concentrations (IC(50)=2.4+/-0.1 microM) which marginally affected electron transport and ATPase activity (IC(50)=97+/-4 microM). A transitory stimulation of the electron transport in intact rat liver mitochondria in state 4 was also obtained at low polygodial concentrations (EC(50)=20+/-4 microM). These results suggest that polygodial uncouples ATP synthesis from electron transport at low concentrations. Similar concentrations of polygodial partially abolished the ANS fluorescence enhancement (IC(50)=2.2+/-0.4 microM) induced by succinate oxidation in submitochondrial particles but did not collapse the DeltapH. We postulate that polygodial uncouples mitochondrial ATP synthesis by affecting the electrical properties of the membrane surface and consequently collapsing the membrane potential (Deltapsi) and/or the localized transmembrane pH difference (DeltapH(S)) without affecting the DeltapH between the two bulk aqueous phases (DeltapH(B)). The relevance of these findings for the understanding of the biochemical basis of the antifungal activity of polygodial and the evaluation of its potentiality as a therapeutic agent are discussed.     

5-Hydroxydecanoate inhibits proliferation of hypoxic human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells by blocking mitochondrial K(ATP) channels

Aim： To study the effect of 5-hydroxydecanoate （5-HD） on the proliferation of 24 h hypoxic human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells （HPASMC） and to explore the pharmacological mechanisms of 5-HD as an inhibitor of mitochondrial membrane ATP-sensitive potassium channel activation. Methods： Normoxic or hypoxic HPASMC in culture were stimulated by either diazoxide or 5-HD for 24 h. The proliferation of HPASMC was examined by 3- （4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazol-yl） -2,5- diphenyl- 2H-tetrazolium bromide （MTr） assay and proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） immunohistochemistry staining. The apoptosis of HPASMC was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling （TUNEL） assay and flow cytometric analysis. The relative changes in mitochondrial membrane potential （ΔΨm） were measured using the rhodamine fluorescence （R-123） technique. Results： Both hypoxia and diazoxide stimulation increased ΔΨm value measured by the absorbance of MTT, PCNA-positive staining and decreased TUNEL-positive staining and apoptotic cells in HPASMC. Hypoxia and the concomitant stimulation of diazoxide obviously enhanced the effects of hypoxia or diazoxide alone. 5-HD significantly attenuated the effects in each of the above conditions. Additionally, 5-HD partially inhibited the effect of hypoxia on R-123 fluorescence intensity in HPASMC. Conclusion： 5-HD can inhibit the proliferation of hypoxic HPASMC by blocking mitochondrial KATP channels.     

2,5,2',5'-Tetrachlorobiphenyl impairs the bioenergetic functions of isolated rat liver mitochondria

The effects of 2,5,2',5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (25TCB) on parameters related to the bioenergetic functions of isolated rat liver mitochondria were investigated. State 3 respiration was inhibited by 25TCB with both succinate and glutamate/malate as the respiratory substrates. The extent of inhibition with succinate was larger than that observed with glutamate/malate. The concentration of 25TCB required to cause 50% inhibition for succinate was 51 microM, but with glutamate/malate, only 53% inhibition was observed at 200 microM. 25TCB stimulated state 4 respiration after 1-2 min lag period; state 4 respiration in the presence of glutamate/malate was more intensely stimulated by 25TCB than in the presence of succinate. 25TCB dissipated the membrane potential across the mitochondrial membranes. Isolated rat liver mitochondria accumulate large amounts of Ca2+ at the expense of respiration-linked energy (substrate oxidation) or of that provided by the hydrolysis of ATP by the mitochondrial ATPase. The Ca2+ accumulation by mitochondria was severely depressed by 25TCB when the energy was supplied by respiration. Furthermore, the inhibition of Ca2+ accumulation by 25TCB with succinate was greater than that produced with glutamate/malate. On the other hand, with ATP as the source of energy, 25TCB inhibited Ca2+ accumulation at high concentrations. 25TCB also released Ca2+ from mitochondria that had already accumulated Ca2+, indicating that mitochondrial membrane integrity was damaged by the intercalation of 25TCB. These results show that 25TCB impairs mitochondrial energy production, and inhibits Ca2+ sequestration by mitochondria.     

BMS-191095, a cardioselective mitochondrial katp opener, inhibits human platelet aggregation by opening mitochondrial katp channels

We evaluated the antiplatelet effects of two classes of ATP-sensitive potassium channel openers (K(ATP) openers) on washed human platelets, and the study's emphasis was on the role of mitochondrial K(ATP) in platelet aggregation. Collagen-induced platelet aggregation was inhibited in a dose dependent manner by lemakalim and SKP-450, which are potent cardio-nonselective K(ATP) openers, and also by cardioselective BMS-180448 and BMS-191095 (IC50: 1,130, >1,500, 305.3 and 63.9 microM, respectively), but a significantly greater potency was noted for the cardioselective K(ATP) openers. The latter two K(ATP) openers also inhibited platelet aggregation induced by thrombin, another important blood-borne platelet activator, with similar rank order of potency (IC50: 498.0 and 104.8 microM for BMS-180448 and BMS-191095, respectively). The inhibitory effects of BMS-191095 on collagen-induced platelet aggregation were significantly blocked by a 30-min pretreatment of platelets with glyburide (1 microM) or sodium 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD, 100 microM), a nonselective and selective mitochondrial K(ATP) antagonist, respectively, at similar magnitudes; this indicates the role of mitochondrial K(ATP) in the antiplatelet activity of BMS-191095. However, glyburide and 5-HD had no effect when they were added to the platelet cuvette immediately prior to the addition of BMS-191095. These findings indicate that cardioselective mitochondrial K(ATP) openers like BMS-191095 are able to exert cardioprotective effects in cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury via dual mechanisms directed at the inhibition of platelet aggregation and the protection of cardiomyocytes, and both these mechanisms are mediated by mitochondrial K(ATP).     

Effect of phthalate esters on energy coupling and succinate oxidation in rat liver mitochondria

Isolated rat liver mitochondria were exposed to mono- and di-n-butyl phthalate (MBP and DBP) and mono- and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (MEHP and DEHP) and examined for effects on mitochondrial energy-dependent processes, including oxidative phosphorylation and active K+ uptake. Additional studies on the effects of these phthalate esters on succinate oxidation and on mitochondrial membrane integrity are also included. DBP and MEHP stimulated succinate state 4 respiration, impaired K+-valinomycin induced swelling with succinate, ascorbate, or ATP as the energy sources, and inhibited succinate state 3 respiration and succinate cytochrome c reductase activity. MEHP was found to act as a non-competitive inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase activity, with an apparent Ki = 2.4 X 10(-4) M. At concentrations which uncouple energy linked reactions, MEHP and DBP produced only slight energy-independent swelling and release of soluble proteins from isolated mitochondria. MBP caused only slight stimulation of state 4 respiration and impairment of K+-valinomycin induced swelling with each of the 3 energy sources, however, of the 4 phthalate esters, it produced the greatest energy-independent swelling and led to the greatest release of soluble mitochondrial proteins. DEHP had no apparent effect on any of these processes except for slight impairment of ATP-dependent K+-valinomycin induced swelling. It is concluded that phthalate ester toxicity in liver mitochondria is due to uncoupling of energy linked reactions and/or inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase activity. Uncoupling by MBP may involve disruption of mitochondrial membrane integrity, while uncoupling by DBP and MEHP is probably due to an increase in membrane permeability to H+ and other small ions.     

The effects of cadmium on succinate and NADH-linked substrate oxidations in rat hepatic mitochondria

Low concentrations of cadmium (3.3-40 microM) inhibited State 3 NADH-linked respiration in rat hepatic mitochondria, but failed to release oligomycin (1 microgram) inhibited State 3 respiration, or to significantly change the State 4 rate. In the presence of succinate, 40 microM cadmium inhibited State 3 respiration by 89%, while concentrations between 3.3 and 13.3 microM stimulated State 4 respiration. Higher concentrations caused marked inhibition. In the presence of succinate, cadmium released oligomycin inhibited State 3 respiration. Cadmium (0.001-1.0 mM) did not stimulate mitochondrial ATPase activity or inhibit ferricyanide reduction, but stimulated NAD+ linked mitochondrial dehydrogenase activities and NADH oxidation. These results indicate that cadmium interacts with either the NADH dehydrogenase complex or other NADH-dependent enzymes and not solely by an uncoupling action.     

Pulses of external ATP aid to the synchronization of pancreatic beta-cells by generating premature Ca(2+) oscillations

Pancreatic beta-cells respond to glucose stimulation with increase of the cytoplasmic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)), manifested as membrane-derived slow oscillations sometimes superimposed with transients of intracellular origin. The effect of external ATP on the oscillatory Ca(2+) signal for pulsatile insulin release was studied by digital imaging of fura-2 loaded beta-cells and small aggregates isolated from islets of ob/ob-mice. Addition of ATP (0.01-100 microM) to media containing 20mM glucose temporarily synchronized the [Ca(2+)](i) rhythmicity in the absence of cell contact by eliciting premature oscillations. External ATP triggered premature [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations also when the sarcoendoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase was inhibited with 50 microM cyclopiazonic acid and phospholipase C inhibited with 10 microM U-73122. The effect of ATP was mimicked by other activators of cytoplasmic phospholipase A(2) (10nM acetylcholine, 0.1-1 micro M of the C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin and 2 microg/ml melittin) and suppressed by an inhibitor of the enzyme (50 microM p-amylcinnamoylanthranilic acid). Premature oscillations generated by pulses of ATP sometimes triggered subsequent oscillations. However, prolonged exposure to high concentrations of the nucleotide (10-100 microM) had a suppressive action on the beta-cell rhythmicity. The early effects of ATP included generation of transients induced by inositol (1,4,5) trisphosphate and superimposed on the premature oscillation or on an ordinary oscillation induced by glucose. The results support the idea that purinergic activation of phospholipase A(2) has a co-ordinating effect on the beta-cell rhythmicity by triggering premature [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations mediated by closure of ATP-sensitive K(+) channels.     

Anti-ischemic properties of a new spiro-cyclic benzopyran activator of the cardiac mito-KATP channel

Many activators of K_ATP channels exhibit cardioprotective effects, mainly mediated by channels expressed on mitochondria (mito-K_ATP). Previous results showed anti-ischemic effects of the spiro-cyclic derivative A, on isolated rat hearts. In this work this molecule was more extensively studied and diazoxide was used as reference mito-K_ATP opener. The studies were performed on an in vivo rat model of myocardial infarct and on heart-derived H9c2 cells exposed to an anoxic environment. The mechanism of action was further investigated on isolated rat heart mitochondria. In the model of myocardial infarct compound A and diazoxide produced significant cardioprotective effects, antagonised by the selective mito-K_ATP blocker 5-hydroxydecanoic acid (5-HD). Compound A, like diazoxide, produced modest and non-significant hypotensive responses, while the hyperglycaemic effects of diazoxide were not observed for the new compound. Protective effects of compound A and diazoxide were also recorded in H9c2 cells and again were inhibited by 5-HD. Compound A and diazoxide caused swelling of cardiac mitochondria, in agreement with the profile of mito-K_ATP openers. Both compounds evoked concentration-dependent Ca²⁺-release from Ca²⁺-preloaded mitochondria, prevented mitochondrial Ca²⁺-uptake and caused mitochondrial membrane depolarisation. These effects were antagonised by ATP, the endogenous K_ATP inhibitor. In conclusion, compound A exhibits a promising profile of an anti-ischemic agent, with a mechanism likely to be linked to the activation of mito-K_ATP channels, and, because of its chemical characteristics such as structural rigidity and chirality due to the spiro-cyclic moiety, represents an interesting template for development of analogues further improved in activity and selectivity.     

The mechanism of acute cytotoxicity of triethylphosphine gold(I) complexes : II. Triethylphosphine gold chloride-induced alterations in mitochondrial function

Triethylphosphine gold complexes have therapeutic activity in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Many of these compounds are also highly cytotoxic in vitro to a variety of tumor and non-tumor cell lines. Triethylphosphine gold chloride (TEPAu) is highly cytotoxic to isolated rat hepatocytes at concentrations greater than 25 microM. The earliest changes that could be detected in hepatocytes included bleb formation in the plasma membrane, alterations in the morphology of mitochondria, and rapid decreases in cellular ATP and oxygen consumption. The degradation of ATP could be followed sequentially through ADP and AMP and was ultimately accounted for entirely as xanthine. The sum of adenine and xanthine-derived nucleotides remained constant throughout the experiments. TEPAu (50 microM) caused a significant decrease in the hepatocyte ATP/ADP ratio and energy charge within 5 min. The antioxidant, N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD), which blocked TEPAu-induced malondialdehyde formation but not cell death, also had no effect on the decreases in oxygen consumption, ATP, ATP/ADP ratio, or energy charge. In isolated rat liver mitochondria, TEPAu (1 microM) caused significant reductions in carbonyl cyanide-4-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP) (uncoupled)-stimulated respiration. TEPAu (5 microM) inhibited state 3 respiration and the respiratory control ratio without affecting state 4 respiration and caused a rapid dissipation of the mitochondrial-membrane hydrogen-ion gradient (membrane potential). Concentrations greater than 5 microM also inhibited state 4 respiration. TEPAu caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of FCCP-stimulated respiration with pyruvate/malate and succinate as substrates but had not effect on ascorbate/tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine-supported respiration. The inhibition of state 4 respiration and FCCP-stimulated respiration by TEPAu (10 microM) could be reversed by the addition of 2 mM dithiothreitol. Dithiothreitol also partially protected cells from TEPAu-induced injury and reversed the TEPAu-induced depletion in cellular ATP. These data indicate that TEPAu may be acting functionally as a respiratory site II inhibitor, similar to antimycin. The reversal of TEPAu-induced inhibition of mitochondrial respiration and cell lethality by dithiothreitol suggests that mitochondrial thiols may be involved.     

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.     

Glibenclamide depletes ATP in renal proximal tubular cells by interfering with mitochondrial metabolism

Sulfonylurea drugs, like glibenclamide, stimulate insulin secretion by blocking ATP-sensitive potassium channels on pancreatic beta cells. Renal tubular epithelial cells possess a different class of K(ATP) channels with much lower affinities for sulfonylurea drugs, necessitating the use of micromolar glibenclamide concentrations to study these channels. Here, we describe the toxic effects of these concentrations on mitochondrial energy metabolism in freshly isolated renal proximal tubular cells. Glibenclamide, at concentrations of 50 and 100 microM, reduced intracellular ATP levels by 28+/-4 and 53+/-5%, respectively (P<0.01). This decline in ATP could be attributed to a dose-dependent inhibition of mitochondrial respiration. Glibenclamide (10-500 microM) inhibited ADP-stimulated mitochondrial oxygen consumption. In addition to this toxic effect, specific association of radiolabeled and fluorescent glibenclamide to renal mitochondria was found. Association of [(3)H]glibenclamide with renal mitochondria revealed a low-affinity site with a K(D) of 16+/-6 microM and a B(max) of 167+/-29 pmol mg(-1). We conclude that micromolar concentrations of glibenclamide interfere with mitochondrial bioenergetics and, therefore, should be used with care for inhibition of epithelial K(ATP) channels.     

The effects of mono-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate on rat Sertoli cell-enriched primary cultures

There is considerable evidence from in vivo studies that the Sertoli cell is an initial target cell for the actions of phthalates in the rodent testis. Because this metabolically active cell type plays a central role in spermatogenesis, we examined the effects of a toxic phthalate, mono-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (MEHP), on the secretory and synthetic activities of primary testicular cell cultures isolated from 18-day-old rats. These cultures were 78-84% Sertoli cells. Exposure to MEHP decreased cellular ATP by ca. 20%, decreased production of radiolabeled 14CO2 from acetate, and decreased media levels of pyruvate, while it increased media levels of lactate and intracellular lipid. Protein synthesis, evaluated by radiolabeled leucine incorporation, was not affected by MEHP. Mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase activity was decreased in the presence of MEHP. Michaelis-Menton kinetic analysis indicated this was a mixed inhibition. There was no apparent change in mitochondrial Rhodamine 123 uptake. These data are consistent with the concept that mitochondria are one target for the actions of MEHP in the Sertoli cell.     

Contribution of both the sarcolemmal K(ATP) and mitochondrial K(ATP) channels to infarct size limitation by K(ATP) channel openers: differences from preconditioning in the role of sarcolemmal K(ATP) channels

The roles of sarcolemmal ATP-sensitive K+ (sarcK(ATP)) and mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K+ (mitoK(ATP)) channels in the cardioprotection induced by K(ATP) channel openers remain unclear, though the mitoK(ATP) channel has been proposed to be involved as a subcellular mediator in cardioprotection afforded by ischemic preconditioning (PC). In the present study, selective inhibitors of the sarcK(ATP) and mitoK(ATP) channels were used to examine the role of each channel subtype in infarct size limitation by KATP channel openers. Isolated rabbit hearts were perfused in the Langendorff mode with monitoring of the activation recovery interval (ARI) and subjected to 30-min global ischemia/2-h reperfusion to induce infarction. Before ischemia, hearts received 10 microM pinacidil, 100 microM diazoxide, or PC with or without preceding infusion of a sarcK(ATP) channel-selective blocker (5 microM HMR1098) or a mitoK(ATP) channel-selective blocker (100 microM 5-hydroxydecanoate, 5-HD). ARI, an index of action potential duration, was shortened from 118+/-3 ms to 77+/-5 ms after 10 min of ischemia in untreated control hearts. Pinacidil shortened ARI before ischemia from 113+/-2 ms to 78+/-5 ms and enhanced the ARI shortening during ischemia. Diazoxide did not affect ARI before ischemia but accelerated ischemia-induced shortening of ARI. Infarct size as a percentage of the left ventricle (%IS/LV) was reduced by pinacidil and diazoxide from the control value of 47.2+/-4.0% to 4.5+/-1.5% and 5.2+/-1.2%, respectively. HMR1098 significantly inhibited the shortening of ARI by ischemia, pinacidil and diazoxide and partially blocked infarct size limitation by these K(ATP) channel openers (%IS/LV=32.6+/-4.2% and 23.4+/-5.3%, respectively). Infusion of 5-HD did not modify the change in ARI caused by the K(ATP) channel openers but completely abolished cardioprotection (%IS/LV=46.0+/-6.2% with pinacidil and 57.2+/-7.0% with diazoxide). PC with two episodes of 5-min ischemia limited %IS/LV to 21.6+/-4.0%, and this protection was not inhibited by HMR1098. Neither HMR1098 nor 5-HD alone modified infarct size. In conclusion, both sarcK(ATP) and mitoK(ATP) channels may contribute to the anti-infarct tolerance afforded by pinacidil and diazoxide.     

Role of zinc as an activator of mitochondrial function in rat liver

The effects of zinc on the enzymes of hepatic mitochondria were investigated in rats that had been given zinc sulfate (10 mg Zn2+/100 g body wt) p.o. Administration of zinc caused a marked elevation of succinate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, cytochrome c oxidase and ATPase activities, whereas it did not cause significant changes in pyruvate carboxylase, malate dehydrogenase and isocitrate dehydrogenase activities. The effect of zinc as a function of time was greatest on succinate dehydrogenase. Zinc also produced a marked elevation of ATP concentration in the hepatic cytosol and a corresponding increase in ATPase activity in the hepatic mitochondria. Zinc content of the inner membrane of mitochondria was raised significantly by administration of zinc. The removal of zinc by washing in 10 mM EDTA caused a significant decrease of the increased succinate dehydrogenase activity caused by administration of zinc, while it did not lower ATPase activity. The addition of zinc in amounts of 10-10(3) ng Zn2+ per mg protein produced a significant increase in succinate dehydrogenase activity in the inner membrane of mitochondria, whereas ATPase activity was elevated significantly at 10(3)-10(4) ng Zn2+ per mg protein, indicating that zinc activated succinate dehydrogenase more sensitively than ATPase. The present investigation suggests that zinc taken up by hepatic mitochondria stimulates the electron transport system and oxidative phosphorylation and, as a result, increases the ATP concentration in the hepatic cytosol.     

Large-conductance K+ channel openers NS1619 and NS004 as inhibitors of mitochondrial function in glioma cells

Recently, it has been reported that large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium channels, also known as BK(Ca)-type potassium channels, are present in the inner mitochondrial membrane of the human glioma LN229 cell line. Hence, in the present study, we have investigated whether BK(Ca)-channel openers (BK(Ca)COs), such as the benzimidazolone derivatives NS004 (5-trifluoromethyl-1-(5-chloro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazole-2-one) and NS1619 (1,3-dihydro-1-[2-hydroxy-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-benzimidazol-2-one), affect the functioning of LN229 glioma cell mitochondria in situ. We examined the effect of BK(Ca)COs on mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial respiration and plasma membrane potassium current in human glioma cell line LN229. We found that BK(Ca)COs decrease the mitochondrial membrane potential with an EC(50) value of 3.6+/-0.4 microM for NS1619 and 5.4+/-0.8 microM for NS004. This mitochondrial depolarization was accompanied by an inhibition of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Both BK(Ca)COs induced whole-cell potassium current blocked by charybdotoxin, as measured by the patch-clamp technique. The BK(Ca)COs had no effect on membrane bilayer conductance. Moreover, the inhibition of mitochondrial function by NS004 and NS1619 was without effect on cell survival, as measured by lactate dehydrogenase release from the cells.     

Minoxidil attenuates ischemia-induced apoptosis in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes

The effects of minoxidil (a mitochondrial K+(ATP) channel opener) on ischemia-induced necrosis and apoptosis were examined using a cardiomyocyte model of simulated ischemia, since mitochondrial K+(ATP) channel openers have been suggested to be involved in the mechanisms of cardioprotective action against ischemia/reperfusion injury. In the absence of minoxidil, simulated ischemia led to cellular release of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), morphologic degeneration, and beating cessation within 24 to 72 hours. Based on the Hoechst 33258 staining pattern, a significant number of cells placed in sealed flasks underwent apoptosis. Myocytes treated with 5 microM of minoxidil failed to alter the degree of ischemia-induced CPK loss for 48 to 72 hours. However, minoxidil treatment prevented the loss of beating function in many of the ischemic cells, and attenuated the decline in intracellular ATP content after a 48-hour ischemic incubation. The number of nuclear fragmentation was significantly reduced in minoxidil-treated cells after a 72-hour ischemic insult compared with untreated ischemic cells. This effect was blocked by the mitochondrial K+(ATP) channel antagonist 5-HD. The data suggest that minoxidil renders the cell resistant to ischemia-induced necrosis and apoptosis. The beneficial effects of minoxidil appear to be related to the opening of mitochondrial K+(ATP) channels.