Hepatic mitochondrial function and lysosomal enzyme activity in ethanol-potentiated aflatoxin B1 hepatotoxicity

The possible role of hepatic mitochondrial function and lysosomal enzyme activity in ethanol-enhanced aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) hepatotoxicity was studied in male rats. Hepatic ATP content was significantly decreased in rats treated with ethanol (4.0 g/kg body wt.) and AFB1 (2.0 mg/kg body wt.) compared with rats treated with AFB1 alone at 12-72 h after AFB1 administration. The decrease in hepatic ATP content was due to the decrease in the activity of NADH-cytochrome c reductase whereas cytochrome oxidase activity did not differ in rats treated with ethanol and AFB1 when compared to AFB1 alone. Total and free activities of hepatic lysosomal enzymes (glucuronidase, arylsulfatase and acid phosphatase) were significantly increased in rats treated with ethanol and AFB1 at 24-36 h after AFB1 administration when compared to AFB1 alone. The increase in hepatic lysosomal enzyme activities correlated well with the increase in the lipid peroxide level of lysosomes in rats treated with ethanol and AFB1. These findings indicate that the decrease in hepatic mitochondrial respiratory enzyme activities and the increase in lipid peroxide level of lysosomes might lead to a decrease in hepatic ATP content, and that the increase in the activities of hepatic lysosomal enzymes, respectively, enhance the AFB1 hepatotoxicity of ethanol.     

Cisplatin hepatotoxicity mediated by mitochondrial stress

Context: Chemotherapy has long been the keystone of cancer regimen, and comprehensive research has been done on the development of more potent and less toxic anti-cancer agents. Cisplatin (CP) is a potent and extensively used chemotherapeutic agent. There is paucity of literature involving role of mitochondria in mediating CP-induced hepatic toxicity, and its underlying mechanism remains unclear. Oxidative stress is a well-established biomarker of the mitochondrial toxicity. Objective: This study evaluates the dose-dependent effects of CP-induced mitotoxicity under in vitro conditions, using mitochondria from rat liver. Materials and methods: The aim of our study was to determine the effect of CP with different concentrations in isolated liver mitochondria as an in vitro model. Results: CP exposure showed significantly compromised level of non enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants with higher extent of lipid and protein oxidation. CP also caused significant alterations in the activity of respiratory chain enzymes (complex I–III and V) in liver mitochondria. Discussion and conclusion: It is suggested that mitochondria can be employed as a model for future investigations of anticancer drug-induced hepatotoxicity under in vitro conditions. Studies with selected pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals might certainly play a definite role in deciphering cellular and molecular mechanisms of CP-induced hepatotoxicity and its amelioration.     

Paracetamol hepatotoxicity and microsomal function

The effect of paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats (650 mg/kg) on microsomal function was examined. Paracetamol treatment resulted in lowered Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity in the microsomes with decrease in V(max) of the low affinity high V(max) component II. However, the temperature kinetics was not influenced significantly. The total phospholipid and cholesterol contents as well as lipid peroxidation in the microsomes were unchanged. However, content of acidic phospholipids: phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol decreased by 50% with a reciprocal increase in the sphingomyelin content; the lysophosphoglyceride content increased by 12-fold. The microsomal membrane appeared to be more fluidized following paracetamol treatment. Paracetamol treatment also resulted in a significant reduction in the sulfhydryl groups content.     

Involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction in nefazodone-induced hepatotoxicity

Nefazodone (NEF) is an antidepressive agent that was widely used in the treatment of depression until its withdrawal from the market, due to reports of liver injury and failure. NEF hepatotoxicity has been associated with mitochondrial impairment due to interference with the OXPHOS enzymatic activities, increased ROS generation and decreased antioxidant defenses. However, the mechanisms by which NEF induces mitochondrial dysfunction in hepatocytes are not completely understood. Here, we investigated the mitochondrial mechanisms affected upon NEF exposure and whether these might be linked to drug hepatotoxicity, in order to infer liabilities of future drug candidates.Two moderately hepatotoxic NEF concentrations (20 and 50 μM) were selected from dose-response growth curves performed in HepG2 cells. Cell viability, caspase activity, nuclear morphology, mitochondrial transmembrane potential, mitochondrial superoxide levels, and the expression of genes associated with different cellular pathways were evaluated at different time points.NEF treatment led to an increase in the expression of genes associated with DNA-damage response, antioxidant defense and apoptosis and a decreased expression of genes encoding proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation, DNA repair, cell proliferation and cell cycle progression, which seem to constitute mechanisms underlying the observed mitochondrial and cell function impairment.     

Role of biotransformation in the alterations of chloroform hepatotoxicity produced by Kepone and mirex

A previous report demonstrated that pretreatment of mice with Kepone resulted in marked potentiation of CHCl₃-induced hepatotoxicity whereas pretreatment with a structural analog, mirex, had no effect on the liver injury produced by a challenging dose of CHCl₃. To determine some of the possible mechanisms for this difference in potentiating ability, various parameters were studied. The hepatic content of mirex and Kepone was determined 42 hr after the oral administration of each agent to male Swiss-Webster mice. The concentration of mirex within the liver increased in a dose-related fashion. Following a single dose (50 mg/kg) of either mirex or Kepone, the hepatic content of each agent was approximately equal. Kepone (50 mg/kg, po) had no effect on mouse hepatic glutathione content at 18 hr. The relationship between the effects of mirex and Kepone on microsomal mixed function oxidase (MFO) activity and the in vivo and in vitro irreversible binding of ¹⁴CHCl₃ reactive metabolite(s) to hepatic constituents was assessed at 18 hr. Mirex pretreatment (10, 50, 250 mg/kg) resulted in a more profound effect on hepatic MFO activity than did pretreatment with Kepone (50 mg/kg). However, mirex pretreatment (50 mg/kg) did not alter either the in vivo or in vitro irreversible binding of ¹⁴CHCl₃-derived radioactivity to mouse hepatic constituents. In contrast, pretreatment of mice with Kepone (50 mg/kg) resulted in profound increases in both the in vivo and in vitro irreversible binding of ¹⁴CHCl₃ metabolites. Thus it appears that the disparate potentiating abilities of mirex and Kepone are related to a difference in the capacity of these agents to increase the activity of the CHCl₃ bioactivation system of the liver.     

The role of mitochondrial injury in bromobenzene and furosemide induced hepatotoxicity

Bromobenzene (BB) and furosemide (FS) are two hepatotoxicants whose bioactivation to reactive intermediates is crucial to the development of liver injury. However, the events which lead to hepatocellular toxicity following metabolite formation and covalent binding to cellular macromolecules remain unknown. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of administered BB and FS on mitochondrial total glutathione (GSH+GSSG, henceforth referred to as glutathione) content and respiratory function as potential initiating mechanisms of the hepatotoxicity of these compounds in the mouse. Bromobenzene (2 g/kg i.p.) significantly decreased mitochondrial glutathione to 48% of control at 3 h post administration, and to 41% at 4 h. This decrease in mitochondrial glutathione was subsequent to a significant decrease in cytosolic glutathione to 64 and 28% of control at 1 and 2 h, respectively. Oxygen consumption supported by complex I (glutamate-supported) of the respiratory chain was not inhibited by BB until 4 h, where state 3 (active) respiration was reduced to 16% of control. This resulted in a decreased respiratory control ratio (RCR) for complex I-supported respiration. Complex II (succinate)-supported state 3 and state 4 respiration were unaffected by BB until 4 h, at which time they were reduced to 57 and 48% of control, respectively. However, the similar reductions in state 3 and state 4 respiratory rates did not alter the corresponding RCR for complex II. Overt hepatic injury was detected at 4 h, with plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity increasing significantly at this time point. In contrast to the effects of BB, FS administration (400 mg/kg i.p.) did not alter mitochondrial or cytosolic glutathione, and had no effect on respiration supported by complex I or II for up to 5 h following dosing. However, ALT activity was significantly increased 5 h following FS administration. These results suggest that inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory function coinciding with a decrease in mitochondrial glutathione content may be crucial to the initiation of BB-induced hepatotoxicity, while such events are not required for the initiation of FS-induced hepatotoxicity.     

Impaired mitochondrial oxidative energy metabolism following paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in the rat.

1. Effects of paracetamol treatment in vivo at subtoxic (375 mg kg-1 body weight) and toxic (750 mg kg-1 body weight) doses on energy metabolism in rat liver mitochondria were examined. 2. Paracetamol treatment resulted in a significant loss in body weights without affecting the liver protein contents. Toxic doses, however, resulted in 21% decrease in the yield of mitochondrial proteins. 3. Subtoxic doses of paracetamol did not, in general, affect the respiratory parameters in the liver mitochondria except in the case of succinate where both the state 3 respiration and the ADP-phosphorylation rates increased by 28%. 4. Toxic doses of paracetamol caused 25 to 47% decrease in the state 3 respiration rates depending on the substrate used. ADP/O ratios also decreased significantly with pyruvate + malate and succinate as the substrates. Consequently, ADP-phosphorylation was impaired significantly from 20 to 63%. 5. Subtoxic doses of paracetamol resulted in increased contents of cytochrome c + c1 while the toxic doses caused lowering of the cytochromes aa3 and b contents. 6. Glutamate and succinate dehydrogenase activities decreased in both the experimental groups while Mg2+-ATPase activity was impaired only after toxic dose-treatment. 7. The results show that toxic doses of paracetamol result in impaired energy coupling in the liver mitochondria. Effects of subtoxic doses were also demonstrable in terms of impaired dehydrogenases activities.     

Biochemical alterations as measures of acute and subacute hepatotoxicity of 1,3-dibromobenzene in rat

Rats were used to study acute and subacute hepatotoxicity of 1,3-dibromobenzene (1,3-dBB). In the single-exposure experiment, maximum hepatic 1,3-dBB concentrations were found to occur 1 to 12 h after the exposure, depending on the dose. Maximum concentrations of covalently bound adducts were reached after 12 h. Depletion of hepatic glutathione (GSH) content occurred during the first 24 h following the exposure, but was not accompanied by changes in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity. The increased number of doses also did not result in necrotic lesions of the liver. In the subacute (28-day) experiment, higher hepatic GSH levels and increased blood serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT) activity were observed. Exposure to 1,3-dBB resulted in increased porphyrin excretion in urine, without accompanying increase in the removal of delta-aminolevulinic acid (AlA-U). The results indicate that subacute exposure to 1,3-dBB produces porphyrinuria in the rat. Received: 30 April 1996/Accepted: 19 July 1996     

A new approach on methamphetamine-induced hepatotoxicity: involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction

Abstract

1.?Methamphetamine (METH) is a highly addictive stimulant that is among the most widely abused illicit drugs. Clinical evidence has shown that the liver is a target of METH toxicity. The exact cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in METH-induced hepatotoxicity have not yet been completely understood.

2.?In this study, the cellular pathways involved in METH liver toxicity were investigated in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes. METH cytotoxicity was associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, lipid peroxidation and rapid glutathione (GSH) depletion which is a third marker of cellular oxidative stress. Our results showed that the hepatocyte mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was rapidly decreased by METH, which was prevented by antioxidants and ROS scavenger, suggesting that mitochondrial membrane damage was a consequence of ROS formation. Incubation of hepatocytes with METH also caused release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol before cell lysis ensued.

3.?Our findings showed that cytotoxic action of METH is mediated by oxidative stress and subsequent changes in mitochondrial membrane conformation and cytochrome c release into the cytosol which causes mitochondrial collapse of ΔΨm.     

Effect of acetaminophen hepatotoxicity on hepatic mitochondrial and microsomal calcium contents in mice

The effect of toxic doses of acetaminophen on hepatic intracellular calcium compartmentation were studied in mice. No effects on the calcium contents of the mitochondria, microsomes or cytosol were observed 4 h after the administration of 175 and 375 mg/kg acetaminophen when compared to saline-treated controls. However, doses of 500 and 750 mg/kg of acetaminophen increased mitochondrial calcium contents at this time. Also, the 750 mg/kg dose caused marked alterations in the calcium contents of microsomal and cytosolic compartments. The time-course of the onset of these effects was examined using a 500 mg/kg dose. No changes in either mitochondrial, microsomal or cytosolic calcium contents were observed in the livers of mice treated with acetaminophen compared to saline-treated controls at either 1 or 2 h after dose administration. However, at 3, 4 and 24 h after acetaminophen, mitochondrial and cytosolic calcium contents were significantly increased above control values. The increases in mitochondrial and cytosolic calcium contents observed in the acetaminophen-intoxicated mouse liver appear to occur at the same time as the appearance of plasma membrane damage, as measured by sorbitol dehydrogenase leakage. The data suggest that a perturbation in hepatic calcium compartmentation is not an early event in acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in the mouse.     

Embryonic development and mitochondrial function

Cytochrome oxidase, which is partially synthesized by the mitochondrion, was used as a measure for the development of mitochondrial function in rat embryos during the late stage of organogenesis. For this purpose the specific inhibitor of mitochondrial protein synthesis, chloramphenicol (CAP), served as a tool. Due to the rapid elimination rate of CAP from rats, a method for continuous infusion which would not cause immobilization to the animals was devised. 1. Pharmacokinetic studies proved that CAP reaches the embryo before placentation. Concentrations of CAP in the embryo are as high as they are in the maternal serum (about 20 mug/ml serum or g embryo) and thuse are sufficiently in supply for the inhibition of mitochondrial proteins synthesis, if 1000 mg/kg CAP are infused intravenously per 24 hrs. CAP is partially excluded from the embryonic compartment after the placental barrier has fully developed: whereas CAP concentration in the maternal serum remains at about 20 mug/ml, the concentration in the embryonic compartment drops to about 10 mug/g embryonic tissue during day 13 of gestation. 2. The average cytochrome oxidase activity per cell is very low (about 1 nmole O2/min X mug DNA-1) in embryonic tissue as it is in many other rapidly proliferating tissues. It is 15-60 times higher in slowly proliferating tissues, as, for example, the adult rat liver or brain (greater than 14 nmoles O2/min X mug DNA-1). 3. When the infusion technique is applied on day 12 of gestation, a sufficiently high concentration of CAP in embryonic tissue can be obtained to inhibit the synthesis of cytochrome oxidase. In constrast to tissues of an adult organism-as in the case of liver after partial hepatectomy- in embryonic tissues this limitation in the availablity of cytochrome oxidase appearently results in a critical reduction of energy production, which subsequently affects the DNA synthesis and embryonic growth. 4. The possible relevance and applicability of these experimental findings to man is discussed.     

Embryonic development and mitochondrial function

Inhibition of mitochondrial protein synthesis in rat embryos during late organogenesis leads to impaired embryonic development. 1. Thiamphenicol (TAP), similar to chloramphenicol, inhibits in vivo the synthesis of cytochrome oxidase (cytox), which is partially synthesized by the mitochondrion. Subsequently, DNA synthesis and embryonic growth are affected. 2. Embryos on day 10 and 11, in contrast to embryos on day 9 of gestation, show a high sensitivity of mitochondrial protein synthesis, measured as cytox activity. From day 10 onwards, such an inhibition leads to pronounced impairment of DNA synthesis. The rat hemochorial placenta starts functioning on day 12 of gestation. Larger doses of TAP are required to inhibit cytox and DNA synthesis for treatment after placentation rather than before placentation. 3. Dose-response relationships differ depending on the date and duration of treatment. Application of TAP for 1 day requires 10-30 mg/kg TAP to inhibit cytox synthesis and 60-100 mg/kg to impair embryonic growth. Prolongation of treatment to 4 days (day 10-13) lowers the dose required for inhibition of DNA synthesis to 10 mg TAP/kg/day. This is lower than the human therapeutic dose. Larger doses lead to embryolethality. 4. The extent of inhibition of DNA synthesis provoked by inhibition of mitochondrial protein synthesis depends on a number of factors which include: different growth rates during organogenesis, the number of mitochondria present prior to treatment, availability of extramitochondrial ATP sources and placental permeability barrier.     

Inhibition of mitochondrial respiration in vivo is an early event in acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity

Morphological changes in mitochondria are observed early in the course of acetaminophen (AA)-induced hepatotoxicity, and mitochondrial dysfunction has been observed both in vivo and in vitro following exposure to AA. This study examined the early effects of AA exposure in vivo on mitochondrial respiration and evaluated the effectiveness ofN-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) in protecting against respiratory dysfunction. Mitochondria were isolated from the livers of fasted, male CD-1 mice 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 or 2 h after administration of a hepatotoxic dose of AA (750 mg/kg). Glutamate- and succinate-supported mitochondrial respiration were subsequently assessed by polarographic measurement of state 3 (ADP-stimulated) and state 4 (resting) rates of oxygen consumption and determination of the corresponding respiratory control ratios (RCR: state 3/state 4) and ADP:O ratios. Hepatotoxicity was assessed histologically and by measuring plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity. The earliest sign of mitochondrial dysfunction observed in this study was a significant decrease in the ADP:O ratio for the oxidation of glutamate 1 h post-dosing. At 1.5 and 2 h post-dosing the RCRs for both glutamate- and succinate-supported respiration were significantly decreased. All of the respiratory parameters measured in this study were significantly decreased, with the exception of succinate-supported state 4 respiration which was significantly increased, 2 h after AA administration. Thus, inhibition of mitochondrial respiration preceded overt hepatic necrosis, indicated by an elevation of ALT activity, which was not observed until 3 and 4 h post-dosing. In addition, mitochondrial respiratory dysfunction correlated with morphological alterations. Inhibition of mitochondrial respiration therefore appears to be an early event in the course of AA-induced hepatotoxicity. Cotreatment with NAC (1200 mg/kg) completely prevented the AA-induced impairment of mitochondrial respiration and the development of histopathologic damage. The protection afforded by NAC in these experiments indicates thatN-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), the reactive metabolite of AA, is responsible for the observed inhibitory effects, and suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction makes an important, if not essential, contribution to the development of AA-induced hepatotoxicity.     

Introduction to mitochondrial function and genomics

In virtually all plant and animal cells, mitochondria are the primary providers of energy but also are the major producers of free radicals and important inducers of programmed cell death pathways. As such, mitochondria are crucial to the proper growth and functioning of the cell, but they also play fundamental roles in numerous pathologic conditions when they become dysfunctional. Mitochondria contain their own DNA, but because they are solely inherited maternally, contain multiple copies of the genome, and replicate independently of cell division, mitochondrial genetics is more akin to population genetics than the Mendelian genetics characteristic of the nuclear genome. Oxidation reactions in the core of the mitochondria yield electrons that are passed sequentially through three respiratory complexes in the inner mitochondrial membrane to generate potential energy for ATP formation. Although numerous diseases are associated with well‐defined mutations in the mitochondrial genome, the etiology of the dysfunction in the respiratory complexes characteristic of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases (defects in Complexes IV and I, respectively) is still under investigation. Regardless of underlying cause, improving mitochondrial function represents a novel therapeutic strategy in late‐onset, sporadically occurring degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. Moreover, elucidating mechanisms that contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction will provide avenues for development of better therapeutic and diagnostic tools for these diseases. Drug Dev. Res. 46:2–13, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Carnitine, mitochondrial function and therapy

Carnitine is important for cell function and survival primarily because of its involvement in the multiple equilibria between acylcarnitine and acyl-CoA esters established through the enzymatic activities of the family of carnitine acyltransferases. These have different acyl chain-length specificities and intracellular compartment distributions, and act in synchrony to regulate multiple aspects of metabolism, ranging from fuel-selection and -sensing, to the modulation of the signal transduction mechanisms involved in many homeostatic systems. This review aims to rationalise the extensive range of experimental and clinical data that have been obtained through the pharmacological use of L-carnitine and its short-chain acylesters, over the past two decades, in terms of the basic biochemical mechanisms involved in the effects of carnitine on the various cellular acyl-CoA pools in health and disease.     

Inhibition of mitochondrial respiration and oxygen-dependent hepatotoxicity by six structurally dissimilar peroxisomal proliferating agents.

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that a variety of structurally dissimilar peroxisomal proliferators inhibited O2 uptake and caused O2-dependent hepatotoxicity in the perfused rat liver. Aspirin, valproate, ethylhexanol, clofibric acid, ciprofibrate and perfluorooctanoate were selected as a representative group of weak, moderate, and potent peroxisomal proliferators, respectively. All compounds studied inhibited state 3 but not state 4 rates of oxygen uptake in isolated mitochondria (perfluorooctanoate greater than ciprofibrate greater than ethylhexanol greater than clofibric acid greater than aspirin greater than valproate; half maximal inhibition occurred at concentrations ranging from 0.6 to 3.2 mM depending on the compound). Clofibric acid, ethylhexanol and aspirin inhibited oxygen uptake only in upstream, oxygen-rich periportal regions of the perfused liver lobule by 30-40%. Perfusion with the six agents studied caused release of lactate dehydrogenase into the effluent perfusate in a dose-dependent manner and caused damage predominantly in periportal regions of the lobule as reflected by trypan blue uptake. A strong correlation between the concentration of compound needed to inhibit respiration in isolated mitochondria and cause hepatotoxicity in the perfused liver was observed. We propose that peroxisomal proliferators accumulate in the liver due to their lipophilicity where they inhibit actively respiring mitochondria in periportal regions of the liver lobule and cause local toxicity.