依达拉奉对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注时线粒体膜电位的影响

目的 探讨依达拉奉对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注时线粒体膜电位的影响.方法 成年健康雄性SD大鼠30只,体重250 ～ 300 g,采用随机数字表法,将其随机分为3组(n=10):假手术组(S组)、缺血再灌注组(I/R组)及依达拉奉组(E组),I/R组和E组采用肝脏缺血60 min进行再灌注的方法制备70％肝脏缺血再灌注损伤模型.E组于再灌注前15 min静脉注射依达拉奉3 mg/kg,I/R组给予等容量生理盐水.于再灌注2h时采集静脉血样,测定血清谷丙转氨酶(ALT)和谷草转氨酶(AST)的活性;然后处死大鼠,取肝组织,测定肝细胞凋亡情况,计算肝细胞凋亡指数;制备肝组织单细胞悬液,测定线粒体膜电位;光镜下观察肝组织病理学结果.结果 与S组比较,I/R组及E组血清ALT活性、AST活性和肝细胞凋亡指数升高,线粒体膜电位降低(P＜0.05或0.01);与I/R组比较,E组血清ALT活性、AST活性和肝细胞凋亡指数降低,线粒体膜电位升高(P＜0.05).E组肝组织病理学损伤轻于I/R组.结论 依达拉奉可减轻大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤,其机制与升高线粒体膜电位,抑制肝细胞凋亡有关.     

参附注射液预先给药对心肌缺血再灌注大鼠线粒体通透性转换和跨膜电位的影响

目的 评价参附注射液预先给药对心肌缺血再灌注大鼠线粒体通透性转换和跨膜电位(△ψm)的影响.方法 健康成年SD大鼠30只,体重250～300 g,雌雄不拘,随机分为3组(n=10):假手术组(S组)、心肌缺血再灌注组(IR组)和参附注射液预先给药组(SFI组).IR组和SFI组采用结扎左冠状动脉前降支30 min再灌注120 min制备心肌缺血再灌注模型;S组仅穿线,不结扎左冠状动脉前降支.缺血前15 min时,SFI组经颈内静脉输注参附注射液10 ml/kg,S组和IR组给予等容量生理盐水.再灌注120 min时,右颈内动脉取血样,测定血清心肌肌钙蛋白Ⅰ(cTnl)浓度.然后处死大鼠,取心脏,提取心肌线粒体,制备线粒体悬液,测定线粒体通透性转换孔(MPTP)的活性和△ψm.结果 与S组比较,IR组和SFI组血清cTnI浓度和MPTP活性升高,线粒体△ψm降低(P＜0.01);与IR组比较,SFI组血清cTnI浓度和MPTP活性降低,线粒体△ψm升高(P＜0.01).结论 参附注射液预先给药可抑制线粒体膜通透性转换,减少线粒体跨膜电位的耗散,减轻大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤.     

二氮嗪预处理对大鼠离体心脏缺血再灌注时心肌线粒体通透性转换孔的影响

目的 探讨二氮嗪预处理对大鼠离体心脏缺血再灌注时心肌线粒体通透性转换孔(PTP)的影响.方法 健康SD大鼠72只,体重250～300 g,雌雄不拘,随机分为4组(n=18),建立离体心脏Langendorf再灌注模型,K-H液平衡灌注20 min后,对照组(C组)持续灌注K-H液100 min不停搏;缺血再灌注组(IR组)持续灌注K-H液30 min;二氮嗪预处理组(D组)依次灌注K-H液15 min、二氮嗪50 μmol/L 10 min和K-H液5 min;5-羟葵酸组(5-HD组)依次灌注5-HD 100 μmol/L 10 min、K-H液5min、二氮嗪50 μmol/L 10 min和K-H液5 min.除C组外其余组于平衡后30 min灌注4℃ St.Thomas停搏液,全心停搏40 min,再灌注30 min.各组于平衡末、缺血前即刻及再灌注末随机取6个心脏测定心肌线粒体PTP半开放时间(T1/2)和线粒体膜电位.结果 与平衡末、缺血前即刻相比,各组再灌注末心肌线粒体PTP T1/2缩短,膜电位降低(P《＜0.05或0.01);与C组比较,其余组心肌线粒体PTP T1/2缩短,膜电位降低(P＜0.01);与IR组比较,D组心肌线粒体PTP T1/2延长,膜电位升高(P＜0.01),5-HD组差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);与D组比较,5-HD组心肌线粒体PTP T1/2缩短,膜电位降低(P＜0.05).结论 二氮嗪50 μmol/L预处理可减少大鼠离体心脏缺血再灌注时心肌线粒体PTP开放,减少线粒体膜电位的丢失,维持心肌线粒体膜的完整性.     

肝硬化大鼠小肠Cajal间质细胞超微结构及平滑肌细胞线粒体膜电位的变化

目的研究肝硬化大鼠小肠Cajal间质细胞超微结构的改变及平滑肌细胞线粒体膜电位的变化,探讨肝硬化胃肠动力障碍的相关机制。方法 20只Wister大鼠随机分为肝硬化模型组和对照组,每组10只,采用CCl4溶剂大腿根部皮下注射法制作肝硬化模型,用葡聚糖蓝-2000作为胃肠内标记物,观察大鼠肠道传输,透射电镜观察小肠Cajal间质细胞超微结构的改变,激光共聚焦显微镜检测小肠平滑肌细胞线粒体膜电位的改变。结果与对照组比较,肝硬化组大鼠小肠动力明显减弱(P0.01),透射电镜观察显示空肠Cajal间质细胞的超微结构发生明显改变,线粒体等细胞器明显减少(P0.01)。小肠平滑肌线粒体膜电位显著低于对照组(P0.01)。结论肝硬化大鼠肠道传输减弱与肠道Cajal间质细胞超微结构改变,细胞器减少及线粒体膜电位的降低有关。     

线粒体途径在缺血后处理减轻大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤作用中的机制研究

目的 研究缺血后处理(IPO)减轻大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤(IRI)的机制中关于线粒体途径发挥的作用.方法 按随机数字表法将SD大鼠分为3组,IRI组和IPO组建立肝移植模型,IRI组受鼠在供肝植入后,立即开放门静脉恢复血液供应 ;IPO组受鼠在门静脉完全开放前行IPO,即对门静脉行开放60 s、夹闭60 s,共重复6次.假手术组大鼠在开腹后仅游离肝周韧带,未进行肝移植.术后6 h(IRI组和IPO组为血流完全开放后6h,下同),取各组受鼠的血液和肝组织样本,检测肝功能,采用逆转录聚合酶链反应法检测肝组织B淋巴细胞因子-2(Bcl-2)mRNA和Bcl-2共存蛋白质(Bax) mRNA的表达,采用蛋白质印迹法检测肝组织细胞色素C(Cyt-c)蛋白的表达,使用流式细胞仪检测肝组织的细胞凋亡与坏死率及线粒体跨膜电位的变化,电镜下观察肝细胞线粒体的超微结构.结果 与假手术组相比,IRI组和IPO组肝功能明显受损(P＜0.05),肝组织Bax mRNA的表达明显上调(P＜0.05),Bcl-2 mRNA的表达明显下降(P＜0.05),Cyt-c蛋白含量显著升高(P＜0.05),肝组织细胞凋亡坏死率明显增加(P＜0.05),肝细胞线粒体跨膜电位明显下降(P＜0.05).而IPO组以上各项指标的改变均较IRI组明显减轻(P＜0.05),肝细胞线粒体的形态结构改变也明显改善.结论 IPO可能通过抑制线粒体途径来减轻大鼠肝移植中肝脏的IRI.     

解脲支原体感染对大鼠生精细胞线粒体核糖体蛋白S22的影响及知柏地黄汤的干预作用

目的:观察解脲支原体(UU)感染对大鼠睾丸生精细胞线粒体核糖体蛋白S22(MRPS22)表达的影响及知柏地黄汤的干预作用。方法:UU感染SD雄性大鼠模型45只,随机分成模型组、知柏地黄汤组、西药组,并以健康大鼠为对照组,每组15只。造模成功后第10天起知柏地黄汤组予以知柏地黄汤灌胃[1 g/(k·d)],西药组予以阿奇霉素灌胃[0.105 g/(k·d)],对照组、模型组予以同体积生理盐水灌胃,连续灌胃21 d。采用TUNEL法检测生精细胞凋亡,电镜观察生精细胞线粒体结构,流式细胞仪检测线粒体膜电位(MMP),RT-PCR检测大鼠睾丸生精细胞MRPS22 m RNA表达,Western印迹检测大鼠睾丸生精细胞MRPS22蛋白表达。观察各组大鼠睾丸生精细胞凋亡指数(AI)、生精细胞线粒体结构、MMP、生精细胞MRPS22 m RNA和蛋白表达情况。结果:模型组大鼠睾丸生精细胞AI[(11.23±1.65)%]显著高于知柏地黄汤组[(6.62±0.49)%]和西药组[(7.82±0.81)%](P 0. 01),知柏地黄汤组显著低于西药组(P 0.05)。知柏地黄汤组及西药组大鼠睾丸线粒体结构较模型组显著改善。模型组大鼠睾丸生精细胞MMP水平[(8. 77±1. 73)%]显著低于对照组[(22. 33±1. 66)%](P 0. 01),知柏地黄汤组[(18. 26±1. 32)%]显著高于模型组(P 0.01)和西药组[(15.91±1.69)%],西药组MMP水平显著高于模型组(P 0. 01)。模型组MRPS22 m RNA表达(8.02±3.21)与对照组(15.43±2.54)、知柏地黄汤组(11. 26±3. 82)相比均具有显著性差异(P 0. 01),知柏地黄汤组MRPS22 m RNA表达显著高于西药组(8. 79±2. 03)(P 0. 01)。模型组(22. 65±5. 31) MRPS22蛋白表达与对照组(33.31±7.09)、知柏地黄汤组(33.35±3.96)和西药组(28.11±4.13)相比均具有显著性差异(P 0. 01),知柏地黄汤组显著高于西药组(P 0.01)。大鼠睾丸生精细胞MRPS22蛋白表达量与MMP呈显著正相关(r=0.639,P 0.01)。结论:UU感染可能通过抑制大鼠睾丸生精细胞MRPS 22 m RNA及蛋白表达,降低MMP,引起生精细胞的凋亡。知柏地黄汤通过改善UU感染大鼠睾丸生精细胞MRPS22 m RNA及蛋白表达,提高MMP,减轻大鼠睾丸生精细胞凋亡。     

丙酮酸乙酯对脓毒症大鼠肝细胞线粒体的保护作用

目的研究丙酮酸乙酯（ethyl pyruvate,EP）对脓毒症大鼠肝细胞线粒体的保护作用。方法采用盲肠结扎穿孔（cecal ligation-perforation,CLP）法制作大鼠脓毒症模型,60只大鼠分3组：假手术组（n=20）、CLP模型组（n=20）、CLP＋EP治疗组（n=20）,检测肝细胞线粒体超微结构及功能变化。结果电镜扫描结果显示CLP模型组肝细胞线粒体发生明显结构损伤改变,CLP＋EP治疗组肝细胞线粒体病变较轻。比较分析CLP模型组与CLP＋EP治疗组的超微结构参数表明：两组的比表面积及形态因子数值间差异无统计学意义（0．027vs.0．029,1．162vs．1．300）,但CLP＋EP治疗组的中位数较CLP模型组更接近正常;与CLP模型组比较,CLP＋EP治疗组线粒体横截表面积减小,差异有统计学意义[（0．641±0．460）vs.（0．231±0．110）μm^2,P〈0．01]。与假手术组比较。CLP模型组肝细胞线粒体呼吸链复合体Ⅰ活性下降42％;CLP＋EP治疗组的线粒体呼吸链复合体Ⅰ活性仅下降12％（P〈0．05）。结论EP对脓毒症大鼠肝细胞线粒体结构及功能有一定保护作用。     

缺血后处理对大鼠肝缺血再灌注时肝细胞线粒体损伤的影响

目的 评价缺血后处理对大鼠肝缺血再灌注时线粒体损伤的影响.方法 雄性SD大鼠30只,体重180～230 g,随机分为3组(n=10):假手术组(S组)、肝缺血再灌注组(IR组)和缺血后处理组(Ipo组).IR组和Ipo组采用阻断肝门60 min再灌注6 h的方法 制备肝缺血再灌注模型,Ipo组缺血60 min时再灌注10 s、缺血10 s,反复6次,进行缺血后处理.于再灌注6 h时取静脉血样,测定血清谷丙转氨酶(ALT)及天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)活性,然后取肝组织,制备病理切片及分离肝细胞,电镜下观察线粒体超微结构,测定线粒体膜电位及线粒体Na+-K+-ATP酶活性.结果 与S组比较,IR组和Ipo组血清ALT和AST活性升高,线粒体Na+-K+-ATP酶活性及线粒体膜电位降低(P<0.01);与IR组比较,Ipo组血清ALT和AST活性降低,线粒体Na+-K+-ATP酶活性及线粒体膜电位升高(P<0.05或0.01).Ipo组线粒体损伤程度轻于IR组.结论 缺血后处理可减轻大鼠肝缺血再灌注时肝细胞线粒体损伤.     

海马神经细胞线粒体通透性转换孔在富氢液减轻大鼠全脑缺血再灌注损伤中的作用

目的 评价海马神经细胞线粒体通透性转换孔(mPTP)在富氢液减轻大鼠全脑缺血再灌注损伤中的作用.方法 雄性SD大鼠72只,体重250 ～ 300 g,采用随机数字表法,将其随机分为6组(n=12):假手术组(S组)、缺血再灌注组(IR组)、生理盐水组(NS组)、富氢液组(H组)、苍术苷组(A组)和富氢液+苍术苷组(HA组).采用四血管阻塞法建立大鼠全脑缺血再灌注模型,缺血15 min后恢复灌注.H组和HA组于再灌注即刻腹腔注射富氢液5 ml/kg,其余组腹腔注射等容量生理盐水;A组和HA组于再灌注前10 min行侧脑室注射苍术苷15 μl,NS组和H组侧脑室注射等容量生理盐水.再灌注24h时行神经行为学损伤评分后各组随机处死8只大鼠,迅速断头,分离海马神经细胞线粒体,采用分光光度计法测定mPTP的开放程度,Rhodamine123法测定线粒体膜电位.再灌注72 h时各组处死4只大鼠,取海马组织,光镜下观察CA1区病理学结果,计数该区神经细胞存活数.结果 与S组比较,其余组再灌注24h时行为学损伤加重,mPTP活性升高,线粒体膜电位降低(P＜0.05);与IR组比较,H组和HA组再灌注24h时行为学损伤减轻,mPTP活性降低,线粒体膜电位升高(P＜0.05);与H组比较,HA组行为学损伤加重,mPTP活性升高,线粒体膜电位降低(P＜0.05).再灌注72 h时HA组较IR组神经细胞存活数增加(P＜0.05),H组海马CA1区神经元损伤较IR组、NS组、A组和HA组减轻.结论 富氢液可减轻大鼠全脑缺血再灌注损伤,其机制与抑制海马神经细胞mPTP开放,减少线粒体膜电位降低,从而维持线粒体功能有关.     

黄芩对大鼠肝硬化内毒素血症肠黏膜损伤的保护性机制研究

目的：探讨黄芩对大鼠肝硬化内毒素血症肠黏膜损伤的保护性机制。方法复合因素造模法建立肝硬化内毒素血症大鼠模型。模型确立后将大鼠随机分为3个实验组,即模型组、黄芩组治疗组和谷氨酰胺治疗组,每组各20只;另设正常对照组大鼠10只。各组大鼠给予灌胃治疗,共2周。实验结束后,采用ELISA法检测大鼠血清内毒素水平,TUNEL法检测各组大鼠肠黏膜细胞凋亡并计算凋亡率,采用RT-PCR检测肠黏膜细胞凋亡相关基因Bcl-2 RNA和Bax RNA的表达水平。结果3个实验组较正常对照组大鼠内毒素组水平均显著升高（F =3.31,P ＜0.05）;其中模型组显著高于黄芩治疗组（q =5.12,P =0.0000）;黄芩治疗组显著低于谷氨酰胺组（q =3.74,P =0.0123）。3个实验组与正常对照组比较,肠黏膜细胞的凋亡率均显著升高（F =4.77,P ＜0.01）;其中模型组显著高于黄芩治疗组和谷氨酰胺组（q =4.56、4.35,P均＜0.01）;黄芩治疗组显著低于谷氨酰胺组（q =3.78,P =0.012）。3个实验组与正常对照组比较,肠黏膜组织Bcl-2 mRNA水平显著下降（F =3.55, P ＜0.05）;其中模型组显著低于黄芩治疗组和谷氨酰胺治疗组（q =3.89、3.40,P ＜0.05）;黄芩治疗组显著高于谷氨酰胺组（q =2.77,P ＜0.05）。3个实验组大鼠肠黏膜Bax mRNA水平则显著高于正常对照组（F =3.67,P ＜0.05）;模型组显著高于黄芩治疗组和谷氨酰胺治疗组（q =3.62、2.91,P ＜0.05）;黄芩治疗组显著低于谷氨酰胺组（q =2.85,P ＜0.05）。结论黄芩能够通过降低肠黏膜细胞的凋亡而减少肝硬化内毒素血症的发生。     

Anaesthesia and mitochondrial disease

Mitochondrial diseases, or encephalomyopathies, are an uncommon, heterogeneous group of disorders with variable clinical course and presentation. Many of these patients present for surgery, or undergo anaesthesia in the course of investigation of their illness. Unfortunately, little information exists on their management in anaesthetic texts and the literature. We report on the anaesthetic management of a paediatric patient with mitochondrial disease, and briefly discuss the pathophysiology and anaesthetic implications of these disorders.     

Anesthesia in mitochondrial encephalomyopathies

A 6-year-old boy with a rare mitochondrial disease (MELAS: mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, stroke-like episodes) was presented to undergo adenoid resection and bilateral paracentesis. ENT surgery was performed without complications under general anaesthesia using propofol, fentanyl, and ventilation with nitrous oxide and oxygen. Routine intraoperative monitoring (ECG, noninvasive blood pressure, oxymetry and capnometry) was supplemented by frequent body temperature measurements and repeated laboratory analysis of venous blood gases, lactate, and glucose. Clinically, the postoperative course was uneventful and the boy was discharged from hospital on the first postoperative day. Signs or symptoms of malignant hyperthermia never occurred. Laboratory analysis only showed a remarkable serum lactate elevation postoperatively (6 mmol/l) which decreased on the first postoperative day (3.7 mmol/l). The present anaesthesiologic experiences with MELAS-syndrome are limited, and recommendations are mainly based on case reports. Careful preoperative physical examination with special regard to all available medical records, and anaesthetic management comparable with that in malignant hyperthermia susceptible resulted in an uneventful course in our patient. Pathogenetic aspects of mitochondrial diseases focussing on anaesthetic considerations are briefly discussed.     

Transgenic control of mitochondrial fission induces mitochondrial uncoupling and relieves diabetic oxidative stress

Mitochondria are the essential eukaryotic organelles that produce most cellular energy. The energy production and supply by mitochondria appear closely associated with the continuous shape change of mitochondria mediated by fission and fusion, as evidenced not only by the hereditary diseases caused by mutations in fission/fusion genes but also by aberrant mitochondrial morphologies associated with numerous pathologic insults. However, how morphological change of mitochondria is linked to their energy-producing activity is poorly understood. In this study, we found that perturbation of mitochondrial fission induces a unique mitochondrial uncoupling phenomenon through a large-scale fluctuation of a mitochondrial inner membrane potential. Furthermore, by genetically controlling mitochondrial fission and thereby inducing mild proton leak in mice, we were able to relieve these mice from oxidative stress in a hyperglycemic model. These findings provide mechanistic insight into how mitochondrial fission participates in regulating mitochondrial activity. In addition, these results suggest a potential application of mitochondrial fission to control mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production and oxidative stress in many human diseases.     

Renal involvement in mitochondrial cytopathies

Mitochondrial cytopathies have long been regarded as neuromuscular diseases. However, an oxidative phosphorylation disorder may give rise to various symptoms in other organs or tissues which are dependent upon mitochondrial energy supply. A broad spectrum of clinical symptoms have been described in these patients, including renal symptoms. The most frequent is proximal tubular dysfunction with a more or less complete de Toni-Debré-Fanconi syndrome. A few patients have been reported with tubular acidosis, Bartter syndrome, chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis, or nephrotic syndrome. The diagnosis of a respiratory chain deficiency is difficult when only renal symptoms are present but should be easier when another seemingly unrelated symptom is observed. Metabolic screening for abnormal oxidoreduction status in plasma, including lactate/pyruvate and ketone body molar ratios, can help to identify patients for further investigations. These include the measurement of oxygen consumption by mitochondria, the assessment of mitochondrial respiratory enzyme activities by spectrophotometric studies, and when possible, the molecular analysis of mitochondrial DNA. Any mode of inheritance can be observed: sporadic, autosomal dominant or recessive, or maternal inheritance. No satisfactory therapy is presently available for mitochondrial disorders.     

线粒体脑肌病的MR诊断

目的分析线粒体脑肌病患者的MRI表现,以期提高对该病的认识。方法回顾性分析临床确诊的5例线粒体脑肌病患者的MRI表现。结果5例患者脑实质MR均呈长T1长T2信号,其中1例仅累及双侧苍白球,4例累及灰白质;3例并幕上脑室扩大,2例并小脑萎缩,1例并双侧基底节钙化。结论MRI可以清晰显示线粒体脑肌病的脑内病变。确诊需结合临床。     

Renal disease and mitochondrial genetics

Respiratory chain (RC) deficiencies have long been regarded as neuromuscular diseases mainly originating from mutations in the mitochondrial DNA. Oxidative phosphorylation, i.e. adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis-coupled electron transfer from substrate to oxygen through the RC, does not occur only in the neuromuscular system. Therefore, a RC deficiency can theoretically give rise to any symptom, in any organ or tissue, at any age and with any mode of inheritance, owing to the dual genetic origin of RC enzymes (nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA). Mitochondrial diseases can give rise to various syndromes or association, namely, neurologic and neuromuscular diseases, cardiac, renal, hepatic, hematological and endocrin or dermatological presentations. The most frequent renal symptom is proximal tubular dysfunction with a more or less complete de Toni-Debre-Fanconi Syndrome. A few patients have been reported with tubular acidosis, Bartter Syndrome, chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis or nephrotic syndrome. The diagnosis of a RC deficiency is difficult when only renal symptoms are present, but should be easier when another, seemingly unrelated symptom is observed. Metabolic screening for abnormal oxidoreduction status in plasma, including lactate/pyruvate and ketone body molar ratios, can help to identify patients for further investigations. These include the measurement of oxygen consumption by mitochondria and the assessment of mitochondrial respiratory enzyme activities by spectrophotometric studies. Any mode of inheritance can be observed: sporadic, autosomal dominant or recessive, or maternal inheritance.     

Hyperkalemia in familial mitochondrial cytopathy

AIM: To contribute to understanding the pathogenesis of hyperkalemia that often occurs in patients with diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We describe 3 familial cases of mitochondrial diabetes mellitus. The mitochondrial A3243G point mutation was confirmed in a mother and her 2 children. We examined their clinical features and pathological findings, and assessed heteroplasmy of mutant mitochondria DNA (mtDNA) by molecular analysis. RESULTS: The second son had spontaneous hyperkalemia and hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism. Histopathological examination revealed severe tubulointerstitial and vascular changes around the juxtaglomerular apparatus. The mother only showed intermittent hyperkalemia concurrently with the aggravation of heart failure, and the pathological changes in her kidneys were mild. Heteroplasmy was more severe in the second son than in the mother. CONCLUSION: Heteroplasmy of mitochondrial cytopathy combined with diabetes mellitus led to abnormalities resembling those seen in Type IV renal tubular acidosis.     

Clinical implications of mitochondrial dysfunction

Mitochondria produce metabolic energy, serve as biosensors for oxidative stress, and eventually become effector organelles for cell death through apoptosis. The extent to which these manifold mitochondrial functions are altered by previously unrecognized actions of anesthetic agents seems to explain and link a wide variety of perioperative phenomena that are currently of interest to anesthesiologists from both a clinical and a scientific perspective. In addition, many surgical patients may be at increased perioperative risk because of inherited or acquired mitochondrial dysfunction leading to increased oxidative stress. This review summarizes the essential aspects of the bioenergetic process, presents current knowledge regarding the effects of anesthetics on mitochondrial function and the extent to which mitochondrial state determines anesthetic requirement and potential anesthetic toxicity, and considers some of the many implications that our knowledge of mitochondrial dysfunction poses for anesthetic management and perioperative medicine.