Intracellular signaling mechanisms of acetaminophen-induced liver cell death.

Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity is the leading cause of drug-induced liver failure. Despite substantial efforts in the past, the mechanisms of acetaminophen-induced liver cell injury are still incompletely understood. Recent advances suggest that reactive metabolite formation, glutathione depletion, and alkylation of proteins, especially mitochondrial proteins, are critical initiating events for the toxicity. Bcl-2 family members Bax and Bid then form pores in the outer mitochondrial membrane and release intermembrane proteins, e.g., apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) and endonuclease G, which then translocate to the nucleus and initiate chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation, respectively. Mitochondrial dysfunction, due to covalent binding, leads to formation of reactive oxygen and peroxynitrite, which trigger the membrane permeability transition and the collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition to the diminishing capacity to synthesize ATP, endonuclease G and AIF are further released. Endonuclease G, together with an activated nuclear Ca2+,Mg2+-dependent endonuclease, cause DNA degradation, thereby preventing cell recovery and regeneration. Disruption of the Ca2+ homeostasis also leads to activation of intracellular proteases, e.g., calpains, which can proteolytically cleave structural proteins. Thus, multiple events including massive mitochondrial dysfunction and ATP depletion, extensive DNA fragmentation, and modification of intracellular proteins contribute to the development of oncotic necrotic cell death in the liver after acetaminophen overdose. Based on the recognition of the temporal sequence and interdependency of these mechanisms, it appears most promising to therapeutically target either the initiating event (metabolic activation) or the central propagating event (mitochondrial dysfunction and peroxynitrite formation) to prevent acetaminophen-induced liver cell death.     

Oxidative stress, mitochondrial permeability transition, and cell death in Cu-exposed trout hepatocytes

We have previously shown that, in trout hepatocytes, exposure to a high dose of copper (Cu) leads to disruption of Ca(2+) homeostasis and elevated formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), with the latter ultimately causing cell death. In the present study, we aimed at identifying, using a lower Cu concentration, the role of mitochondria in this scenario, the potential involvement of the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), and the mode of cell death induced by the metal. Incubation with 10 muM Cu resulted in a strong stimulation of ROS formation, and after 2 h of exposure a significant increase of both apoptotic and necrotic cells was seen. Co-incubation of Cu-treated hepatocytes with the iron-chelator deferoxamine significantly inhibited ROS production and completely prevented cell death. The origin of the radicals generated was at least partly mitochondrial, as visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Furthermore, ROS production was diminished by inhibition of mitochondrial respiration, but since this also aggravated the elevation of intracellular Ca(2+) induced by Cu, it did not preserve cell viability. In a sub-population of cells, Cu induced a decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential and occurrence of the MPT. Cyclosporin A, which did not inhibit ROS formation, prevented the onset of the MPT and inhibited apoptotic, but not necrotic, cell death. Cu-induced apoptosis therefore appears to be dependent on induction of the MPT, but the prominent contribution of mitochondria to ROS generation also suggests an important role of mitochondria in necrotic cell death.     

Induction of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pore opening and ROS formation as a mechanism for methamphetamine-induced mitochondrial toxicity

During the past 10 years, the use of methamphetamine (METH) has significantly increased in Iran and around the world. The widespread use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine as a recreational drug has been responsible for the incidence of several cases of liver failure in young people. This issue made researchers focus on METH toxicity due to the lack of effective treatment and human health risk assessment. There are several reports showing that its long-term use increases the risk for dopamine depletion, but the toxicity mechanisms of METH in liver are not well understood. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the mitochondrial toxicity mechanisms of METH on isolated mitochondria. Rat liver mitochondria were obtained by differential ultracentrifugation, and the isolated mitochondria were then incubated with different concentrations of METH (2.5–20 μM). Our results showed that this agent could induce oxidative stress via rising in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial membrane potential collapse, and mitochondrial swelling. In addition, collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial swelling, and release of cytochrome c following METH treatment were well inhibited by pretreatment of mitochondria with cyclosporin A and butylated hydroxytoluene. Finally, it is suggested that METH could interact with respiratory complexes (II and III) and METH-induced liver toxicity may be the result of its disruptive effect on mitochondrial respiratory chain that is the obvious cause of ROS formation, mitochondrial membrane potential decline, and cytochrome c expulsion which start cell death signaling.     

Toxicity of thallium on isolated rat liver mitochondria: The role of oxidative stress and MPT pore opening

Thallium(I) is a highly toxic heavy metal; however, up to now, its mechanisms are poorly understood. The authors' previous studies showed that this compound could induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, reduced glutathione (GSH) oxidation, membrane lipid peroxidation, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) collapse in isolated rat hepatocyte. Because the liver is the storage site of thallium, it seems that the liver mitochondria are one of the important targets for hepatotoxicity. In this investigation, the effects of thallium on mitochondria were studied to investigate its mechanisms of toxicity. Mitochondria were isolated from rat liver and incubated with different concentrations of thallium (25–200 µM). Thallium(I)‐treated mitochondria showed a marked elevation in oxidative stress parameters accompanied by MMP collapse when compared with the control group. These results showed that different concentrations of thallium (25–200 µM) induced a significant (P < 0.05) increase in mitochondrial ROS formation, ATP depletion, GSH oxidation, mitochondrial outer membrane rupture, mitochondrial swelling, MMP collapse, and cytochrome c release. In general, these data strongly supported that the thallium(I)‐induced liver toxicity is a result of the disruptive effect of this metal on the mitochondrial respiratory complexes (I, II, and IV), which are the obvious causes of metal‐induced ROS formation and ATP depletion. The latter two events, in turn, trigger cell death signaling via opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore and cytochrome c expulsion. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 232–241, 2015.     

Arsenic induces apoptosis in mouse liver is mitochondria dependent and is abrogated by N-acetylcysteine

Arsenicosis, caused by arsenic contamination of drinking water supplies, is a major public health problem in India and Bangladesh. Chronic liver disease, often with portal hypertension occurs in chronic arsenicosis, contributes to the morbidity and mortality. The early cellular events that initiate liver cell injury due to arsenicosis have not been studied. Our aim was to identify the possible mechanisms related to arsenic-induced liver injury in mice. Liver injury was induced in mice by arsenic treatment. The liver was used for mitochondrial oxidative stress, mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT). Evidence of apoptosis was sought by TUNEL test, caspase assay and histology. Pretreatment with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) was done to modulate hepatic GSH level. Arsenic treatment in mice caused liver injury associated with increased oxidative stress in liver mitochondria and alteration of MPT. Altered MPT facilitated cytochrome c release in the cytosol, activation of caspase 9 and caspase 3 activities and apoptotic cell death. Pretreatment of NAC to arsenic-treated mice abrogated all these alteration suggesting a glutathione (GSH)-dependent mechanism. Oxidative stress in mitochondria and inappropriate MPT are important in the pathogenesis of arsenic induced apoptotic liver cell injury. The phenomenon is GSH dependent and supplementation of NAC might have beneficial effects.     

Mechanisms of hepatotoxicity.

This review addresses recent advances in specific mechanisms of hepatotoxicity. Because of its unique metabolism and relationship to the gastrointestinal tract, the liver is an important target of the toxicity of drugs, xenobiotics, and oxidative stress. In cholestatic disease, endogenously generated bile acids produce hepatocellular apoptosis by stimulating Fas translocation from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane where self-aggregation occurs to trigger apoptosis. Kupffer cell activation and neutrophil infiltration extend toxic injury. Kupffer cells release reactive oxygen species (ROS), cytokines, and chemokines, which induce neutrophil extravasation and activation. The liver expresses many cytochrome P450 isoforms, including ethanol-induced CYP2E1. CYP2E1 generates ROS, activates many toxicologically important substrates, and may be the central pathway by which ethanol causes oxidative stress. In acetaminophen toxicity, nitric oxide (NO) scavenges superoxide to produce peroxynitrite, which then causes protein nitration and tissue injury. In inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) knockout mice, nitration is prevented, but unscavenged superoxide production then causes toxic lipid peroxidation to occur instead. Microvesicular steatosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and cytolytic hepatitis involve mitochondrial dysfunction, including impairment of mitochondrial fatty acid beta-oxidation, inhibition of mitochondrial respiration, and damage to mitochondrial DNA. Induction of the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) is another mechanism causing mitochondrial failure, which can lead to necrosis from ATP depletion or caspase-dependent apoptosis if ATP depletion does not occur fully. Because of such diverse mechanisms, hepatotoxicity remains a major reason for drug withdrawal from pharmaceutical development and clinical use.     

The impact of partial manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2)-deficiency on mitochondrial oxidant stress, DNA fragmentation and liver injury during acetaminophen hepatotoxicity

Acetaminophen (APAP) hepatotoxicity is the most frequent cause of acute liver failure in many countries. The mechanism of cell death is initiated by formation of a reactive metabolite that binds to mitochondrial proteins and promotes mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidant stress. Manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2) is a critical defense enzyme located in the mitochondrial matrix. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the functional consequences of partial SOD2-deficiency (SOD2+/−) on intracellular signaling mechanisms of necrotic cell death after APAP overdose. Treatment of C57Bl/6J wild type animals with 200 mg/kg APAP resulted in liver injury as indicated by elevated plasma alanine aminotransferase activities (2870 ± 180 U/L) and centrilobular necrosis at 6 h. In addition, increased tissue glutathione disulfide (GSSG) levels and GSSG-to-GSH ratios, delayed mitochondrial GSH recovery, and increased mitochondrial protein carbonyls and nitrotyrosine protein adducts indicated mitochondrial oxidant stress. In addition, nuclear DNA fragmentation (TUNEL assay) correlated with translocation of Bax to the mitochondria and release of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF). Furthermore, activation of c-jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) was documented by the mitochondrial translocation of phospho-JNK. SOD2+/− mice showed 4-fold higher ALT activities and necrosis, an enhancement of all parameters of the mitochondrial oxidant stress, more AIF release and more extensive DNA fragmentation and more prolonged JNK activation. Conclusions: the impaired defense against mitochondrial superoxide formation in SOD2+/− mice prolongs JNK activation after APAP overdose and consequently further enhances the mitochondrial oxidant stress leading to exaggerated mitochondrial dysfunction, release of intermembrane proteins with nuclear DNA fragmentation and more necrosis.     

Hepatic mitochondrial glutathione: transport and role in disease and toxicity

Synthesized in the cytosol of cells, a fraction of cytosolic glutathione (GSH) is then transported into the mitochondrial matrix where it reaches a high concentration and plays a critical role in defending mitochondria against oxidants and electrophiles. Evidence mainly from kidney and liver mitochondria indicated that the dicarboxylate and the 2-oxoglutarate carriers contribute to the transport of GSH across the mitochondrial inner membrane. However, differential features between kidney and liver mitochondrial GSH (mGSH) transport seem to suggest the existence of additional carriers the identity of which remains to be established. One of the characteristic features of the hepatic mitochondrial transport of GSH is its regulation by membrane fluidity. Conditions leading to increased cholesterol deposition in the mitochondrial inner membrane such as in alcohol-induced liver injury decrease membrane fluidity and impair the mitochondrial transport of GSH. Depletion of mitochondrial GSH by alcohol is believed to contribute to the sensitization of the liver to alcohol-induced injury through tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-mediated hepatocellular death. Through control of mitochondrial electron transport chain-generated oxidants, mitochondrial GSH modulates cell death and hence its regulation may be a key target to influence disease progression and drug-induced cell death.     

Mitochondrial oxidative stress and dysfunction induced by isoniazid: study on isolated rat liver and brain mitochondria

Isoniazid (INH or isonicotinic hydrazide) is used for the treatment and prophylaxis of tuberculosis. Liver and brain are two important target organs in INH toxicity. However, the exact mechanisms behind the INH hepatotoxicity or neurotoxicity have not yet been completely understood. Considering the mitochondria as one of the possible molecular targets for INH toxicity, the aim of this study was to evaluate the mechanisms of INH mitochondrial toxicity on isolated mitochondria. Mitochondria were isolated by differential ultracentrifugation from male Sprague–Dawley rats and incubated with different concentrations of INH (25–2000?μM) for the investigation of mitochondrial parameters. The results indicated that INH could interact with mitochondrial respiratory chain and inhibit its activity. Our results showed an elevation in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, lipid peroxidation and mitochondrial membrane potential collapse after exposure of isolated liver mitochondria in INH. However, different results were obtained in brain mitochondria. Noteworthy, significant glutathione oxidation, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion and lipid peroxidation were observed in higher concentration of INH, as compared to liver mitochondria. In conclusion, our results suggest that INH may initiate its toxicity in liver mitochondria through interaction with electron transfer chain, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial membrane potential decline and cytochrome c expulsion which ultimately lead to cell death signaling.     

Mitochondrial permeability transition as the critical target of N-acetyl perfluorooctane sulfonamide toxicity in vitro.

Perfluorooctanyl compounds with active functional groups have been shown to disrupt mitochondrial bioenergetics by three distinct mechanisms: protonophoric uncoupling of mitochondrial respiration, induction of the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), or a nonselective increase in membrane permeability. The purpose of this investigation was to identify the initial target and specific sequence of events associated with the N-acetyl substituted perfluorooctanesulfonamides induced MPT. N-acetyl-perfluorooctanesulfonamide (FOSAA), N-ethyl-N-acetyl-perfluorooctanesulfonamide (N-Et FOSAA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), and N-ethyl-N-(2-ethoxy)-perfluorooctanesulfonamide (N-Et FOSE) were added individually to liver mitochondria freshly isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats. Mitochondrial swelling and cytochrome c release were recorded spectrophotometrically, oxygen uptake was monitored with a Clark-type oxygen electrode, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were monitored by dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H(2)DCFDA) fluorescence. FOSAA (45 microM) and N-Et FOSAA (7.5 microM) induced calcium-dependent mitochondrial swelling, the release of cytochrome c, inhibition of uncoupled mitochondrial respiration, and ROS generation, all of which were inhibited by cyclosporin-A (CsA). PFOA (200 microM) displayed slight CsA sensitive activity, but neither PFOS (10 microM) nor N-Et FOSE (70 microM) induced the MPT. Results of this investigation demonstrate two important findings: (1) MPT induction is specific to the N-acetyl substituted perfluorooctanesulfonamides and, (2) the sequence of events is initiated by induction of the MPT, which causes the release of cytochrome c as well as other cofactors leading to inhibition of respiration and ROS generation. The toxicity of N-acetyl perfluorooctanyl compounds may therefore reflect the mitochondrial dysfunction, which is compounded by the ensuing oxidative injury.     

Thioridazine interacts with the membrane of mitochondria acquiring antioxidant activity toward apoptosis--potentially implicated mechanisms

We evaluated the effects of the phenothiazine derivative thioridazine on mechanisms of mitochondria potentially implicated in apoptosis, such as those involving reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cytochrome c release, as well as the involvement of drug interaction with mitochondrial membrane in these effects. Within the 0 - 100 microM range thioridazine did not reduce the free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) nor did it chelate iron. However, at 10 microM thioridazine showed important antioxidant activity on mitochondria, characterized by inhibition of accumulation of mitochondria-generated O2*-, assayed as lucigenin-derived chemiluminescence, inhibition of Fe2+/citrate-mediated lipid peroxidation of the mitochondrial membrane (LPO), assayed as malondialdehyde generation, and inhibition of Ca2+/t-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BOOH)-induced mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT)/protein-thiol oxidation, assayed as mitochondrial swelling. Thioridazine respectively increased and decreased the fluorescence responses of mitochondria labelled with 1-aniline-8-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS) and 1-(4-trimethylammonium phenyl)-6 phenyl 1,3,5-hexatriene (TMA-DPH). The inhibition of LPO and MPT onset correlated well with the inhibition of cytochrome c release from mitochondria. We conclude that thioridazine interacts with the inner membrane of mitochondria, more likely close to its surface, acquiring antioxidant activity toward processes with potential implications in apoptosis such as O2*- accumulation, as well as LPO, MPT and associated release of cytochrome c.     

Cell-permeable, mitochondrial-targeted, peptide antioxidants

Cellular oxidative injury has been implicated in aging and a wide array of clinical disorders including ischemia-reperfusion injury; neurodegenerative diseases; diabetes; inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis, arthritis, and hepatitis; and drug-induced toxicity. However, available antioxidants have not proven to be particularly effective against many of these disorders. A possibility is that some of the antioxidants do not reach the relevant sites of free radical generation, especially if mitochondria are the primary source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The SS (Szeto-Schiller) peptide antioxidants represent a novel approach with targeted delivery of antioxidants to the inner mitochondrial membrane. The structural motif of these SS peptides centers on alternating aromatic residues and basic amino acids (aromatic-cationic peptides). These SS peptides can scavenge hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite and inhibit lipid peroxidation. Their antioxidant action can be attributed to the tyrosine or dimethyltyrosine residue. By reducing mitochondrial ROS, these peptides inhibit mitochondrial permeability transition and cytochrome c release, thus preventing oxidant-induced cell death. Because these peptides concentrate >1000-fold in the inner mitochondrial membrane, they prevent oxidative cell death with EC50 in the nM range. Preclinical studies support their potential use for ischemia-reperfusion injury and neurodegenerative disorders. Although peptides have often been considered to be poor drug candidates, these small peptides have excellent "druggable" properties, making them promising agents for many diseases with unmet needs.     

Potential toxicity of toluene and xylene evoked by mitochondrial uncoupling.

Toluene and xylene are chemicals present in various laboratory and other industrial products. Their toxicity to the nervous system and to the liver has been well documented. In the present work, we have studied in vitro effects of toluene and xylene on the respiration of succinate-energized isolated rat liver mitochondria, membrane potential, Ca2+ release, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and ATP levels. Also Ca2+-dependent, cyclosporine A-sensitive mitochondrial swelling, an indicator of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), was studied. At 0.5-2.5 and 0.25-1mM concentrations respectively, toluene and xylene stimulated state 4 respiration in apparent association with mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation and Ca2+ release; these actions of both solvents are consistent with mitochondrial uncoupling. At higher concentrations (2.5 and 5mM, respectively) toluene and xylene also inhibited state 3 respiration. At 0.1-1mM concentrations, xylene elicited significant increase of ROS generation and partly Ca2+-dependent cyclosporine A-sensitive mitochondrial swelling. At 1 mM concentration, toluene or xylene caused depletions of mitochondrial ATP, amounting to 66.3% and 40.3%, respectively; depletions were only slightly dependent on Ca2+. It was concluded that mitochondrial uncoupling via ATP depletion might be responsible for the cell toxicity of toluene described earlier and in particular, of xylene. In the case of xylene, mitochondrial ROS generation and MPT also appear to be involved.     

Inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activation attenuates beta-lapachone-induced necrotic cell death in human osteosarcoma cells

beta-Lapachone, a novel anticancer drug, induces various human carcinoma cells to undergo apoptotic cell death. However, we report here that, in human osteocarcinoma (U2-OS) cells, beta-lapachone induces necrosis rather than apoptosis. beta-Lapachone-induced necrotic cell death in U2-OS cells was characterized by propidium iodide uptake, cytochrome c release, a decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and ATP depletion. The mitochondrial potential transition (MPT), including the reduction of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential and the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c, occurred in beta-lapachone-treated cells; cotreatment of these cells with cyclosporin A, an inhibitor of MPT pore, failed to prevent necrotic cell death. This indicates that the MPT transition does not play a crucial role in this process. Furthermore, beta-lapachone-induced necrosis was independent of oxidative stress and caspase activation. However, excessive poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) activation and subsequent depletion of intracellular NAD(+) and ATP were seen in beta-lapachone-treated U2-OS cells. Cotreatment with a PARP inhibitor, 3-aminobenzamide, decreased beta-lapachone-induced PARP activation and provided significant protection from necrosis by preventing depletion of intracellular NAD(+) and ATP. Taken together, our results suggest that PARP plays an important role in the signaling pathway for beta-lapachone-induced necrosis in U2-OS cells.     

Role of mitochondrial permeability transition in human renal tubular epithelial cell death induced by aristolochic acid

Aristolochic acid (AA), a natural nephrotoxin and carcinogen, can induce a progressive tubulointerstitial nephropathy. However, the mechanism by which AA causes renal injury remains largely unknown. Here we reported that the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) plays an important role in the renal injury induced by aristolochic acid I (AAI). We found that in the presence of Ca(2+), AAI caused mitochondrial swelling, leakage of Ca(2+), membrane depolarization, and release of cytochrome c in isolated kidney mitochondria. These alterations were suppressed by cyclosporin A (CsA), an agent known to inhibit MPT. Culture of HK-2 cell, a human renal tubular epithelial cell line for 24 h with AAI caused a decrease in cellular ATP, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, cytochrome c release, and increase of caspase 3 activity. These toxic effects of AAI were attenuated by CsA and bongkrekic acid (BA), another specific MPT inhibitor. Furthermore, AAI greatly inhibited the activity of mitochondrial adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT) in isolated mitochondria. We suggested that ANT may mediate, at least in part, the AAI-induced MPT. Taken together, these results suggested that MPT plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of HK-2 cell injury induced by AAI and implied that MPT might contribute to human nephrotoxicity of aristolochic acid.     

Mitochondrial regulation of apoptotic cell death

Although it has long been known that impairment of mitochondrial function may lead to ATP depletion and necrotic cell death, recent work has revealed that these organelles also play an important role in the regulation of apoptotic cell death by mechanisms which have been conserved through evolution. Thus, it seems that a number of toxicants target the mitochondria and promote their release of cytochrome c and other pro-apoptotic proteins, which can trigger caspase activation and other parts of the apoptotic process. Cytochrome c release is governed by the Bcl-2 family of proteins, whereas subsequent caspase activation is modulated by other proteins, including inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) and heat shock proteins. Recent findings indicate that cytochrome c extrusion occurs by a two-step process, which is initiated by a disruption of the association of the hemoprotein with cardiolipin, the phospholipid that anchors it to the outer surface of the inner mitochondrial membrane. Release of the solubilized pool of cytochrome c into the cytosol may then occur by permeabilization of the outer mitochondrial membrane mediated by pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, notably Bax and Bak, or by Ca2+-triggered mitochondrial permeability transition. Taken together, these findings have placed the mitochondria in the focus of apoptosis research and further underlined the important function of these organelles in cell life and death.     

Mitochondrial permeability transition induced by the anticancer drug etoposide.

Etoposide (VP-16) is widely used for the treatment of several forms of cancer. The cytotoxicity of VP-16 has been assigned to the induction of apoptotic cell death but the signaling pathway for VP-16-induced apoptosis is essentially unknown. There is some evidence that this process depends on events associated with the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta Psi) and/or release of apoptogenic factors, putatively as a consequence of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) induction. This work evaluates the interference of VP-16 with MPT in vitro, which is characterized by the Ca(2+)-dependent depolarization of Delta Psi, the release of matrix Ca(2+) and by extensive swelling of mitochondria. Delta Psi depolarization and Ca(2+) release were measured with ion-selective electrodes, and mitochondrial swelling was monitored spectrophotometrically. Incubation of rat liver mitochondria with VP-16 results in a concentration-dependent induction of MPT, evidenced by an increased sensitivity to Ca(2+)-induced swelling, depolarization of Delta Psi, Ca(2+) release by mitochondria and stimulation of state 4 oxygen consumption. All of these effects are prevented by preincubating the mitochondria with cyclosporine A, a potent and specific inhibitor of the MPT. Therefore, VP-16 increases the sensitivity of isolated mitochondria to the Ca(2+)-dependent induction of the MPT. Together, these data provide a possible mechanistic explanation for the previously reported effects of VP-16 on apoptosis induction.     

Contribution of liver mitochondrial membrane-bound glutathione transferase to mitochondrial permeability transition pores

We recently reported that the glutathione transferase in rat liver mitochondrial membranes (mtMGST1) is activated by S-glutathionylation and the activated mtMGST1 contributes to the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pore and cytochrome c release from mitochondria [Lee, K.K., Shimoji, M., Quazi, S.H., Sunakawa, H., Aniya, Y., 2008. Novel function of glutathione transferase in rat liver mitochondrial membrane: role for cytochrome c release from mitochondria. Toxcol. Appl. Pharmacol. 232, 109-118]. In the present study we investigated the effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS), generator gallic acid (GA) and GST inhibitors on mtMGST1 and the MPT. When rat liver mitochondria were incubated with GA, mtMGST1 activity was increased to about 3 fold and the increase was inhibited with antioxidant enzymes and singlet oxygen quenchers including 1,4-diazabicyclo [2,2,2] octane (DABCO). GA-mediated mtMGST1 activation was prevented by GST inhibitors such as tannic acid, hematin, and cibacron blue and also by cyclosporin A (CsA). In addition, GA induced the mitochondrial swelling which was also inhibited by GST inhibitors, but not by MPT inhibitors CsA, ADP, and bongkrekic acid. GA also released cytochrome c from the mitochondria which was inhibited completely by DABCO, moderately by GST inhibitors, and somewhat by CsA. Ca²⁺-mediated mitochondrial swelling and cytochrome c release were inhibited by MPT inhibitors but not by GST inhibitors. When the outer mitochondrial membrane was isolated after treatment of mitochondria with GA, mtMGST1 activity was markedly increased and oligomer/aggregate of mtMGST1 was observed. These results indicate that mtMGST1 in the outer mitochondrial membrane is activated by GA through thiol oxidation leading to protein oligomerization/aggregation, which may contribute to the formation of ROS-mediated, CsA-insensitive MPT pore, suggesting a novel mechanism for regulation of the MPT by mtMGST1.     

The role of mitochondria and biotransformation in abamectin-induced cytotoxicity in isolated rat hepatocytes

Abamectin (ABA), which belongs to the family of avermectins, is used as a parasiticide; however, ABA poisoning can impair liver function. In a previous study using isolated rat liver mitochondria, we observed that ABA inhibited the activity of adenine nucleotide translocator and F_oF₁-ATPase. The aim of this study was to characterize the mechanism of ABA toxicity in isolated rat hepatocytes and to evaluate whether this effect is dependent on its metabolism. The toxicity of ABA was assessed by monitoring oxygen consumption and mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular ATP concentration, cell viability, intracellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis, release of cytochrome c, caspase 3 activity and necrotic cell death. ABA reduces cellular respiration in cells energized with glutamate and malate or succinate. The hepatocytes that were previously incubated with proadifen, a cytochrome P450 inhibitor, are more sensitive to the compound as observed by a rapid decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential accompanied by reductions in ATP concentration and cell viability and a disruption of intracellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis followed by necrosis. Our results indicate that ABA biotransformation reduces its toxicity, and its toxic action is related to the inhibition of mitochondrial activity, which leads to decreased synthesis of ATP followed by cell death.