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At least 649 records · Page 36Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Mitochondrial dysfunction and increased sensitivity to excitotoxicity in mice deficient in DNA mismatch repair.

The expression profile in the hippocampus of mice lacking one allele of the MutS homologue (Msh2), gene, which is one of the most representative components of the DNA mismatch repair system, was analysed to understand whether defects in the repair or in response to DNA damage could impact significantly on brain function. The overall results suggested a reduction in mitochondrial function as indicated by gene expression analysis, biochemical and behavioural studies. In the hippocampus of Msh2+/- mice, array data, validated by RT-PCR and western blot analysis, showed reduced expression levels of genes for cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 (CoxII), ATP synthase subunit beta and superoxide dismutase 1. Biochemically, mitochondria from the hippocampus and cortex of these mice show reduced CoxII and increased aconitase activity. Behaviourally, these alterations resulted in mice with increased vulnerability to kainic acid-induced epileptic seizures and hippocampal neuronal loss. These data suggest that lack of an efficient system involved in recognizing and repairing DNA damage may generate a brain mitochondriopathy.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Crosstalk between nitric oxide and zinc pathways to neuronal cell death involving mitochondrial dysfunction and p38-activated K+ channels.

Nitric oxide (NO) and zinc (Zn2+) are implicated in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia and neurodegenerative diseases. However, their relationship and the molecular mechanism of their neurotoxic effects remain unclear. Here we show that addition of exogenous NO or NMDA (to increase endogenous NO) leads to peroxynitrite (ONOO-) formation and consequent Zn2+ release from intracellular stores in cerebrocortical neurons. Free Zn2+ in turn induces respiratory block, mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT), cytochrome c release, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and p38 MAP kinase activation. This pathway leads to caspase-independent K+ efflux with cell volume loss and apoptotic-like death. Moreover, Zn2+ chelators, ROS scavengers, Bcl-xL, dominant-interfering p38, or K+ channel blockers all attenuate NO-induced K+ efflux, cell volume loss, and neuronal apoptosis. Thus, these data establish a new form of crosstalk between NO and Zn2+ apoptotic signal transduction pathways that may contribute to neurodegeneration.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Mitochondrial dysfunction--a pathogenetic factor in Parkinson's disease.

The cause of Parkinson's disease is still unknown. Nonetheless, there are some generally accepted hypotheses with respect to the cascade of dopaminergic cell degeneration. One of the factors is a decrease in respiratory chain complex I activity. This enzyme abnormality is only found in substantia nigra pars compacta. It is not currently known whether this is due to a genetic abnormality of the nuclear or mitochondrial genome or to an exo- or endotoxin. To date, no specific abnormality of the mitochondrial genome has been detected, although ageing leads to deletions in up to 5% of all mitochondrial genome molecules in the brain. There is controversy whether this complex I defect is also detectable in muscle or blood cells. It is our conviction that the considerable overlap between blood cells from normal controls and patients with Parkinson's disease means that such measurements are not distinctive for the two conditions. A decrease in complex I activity in postmitotic cells may be one of the crucial factors for cell death.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

AMPA-induced dark cell degeneration of cerebellar Purkinje neurons involves activation of caspases and apparent mitochondrial dysfunction.

Cerebellar Purkinje neurons (PNs) are selectively vulnerable to AMPA (alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepriopionic acid)-induced delayed neurotoxicity known as dark cell degeneration (DCD) that is expressed as cytoplasmic and nuclear condensation, neuron shrinkage, and failure of physiology. The present study was initiated to determine whether AMPA-receptor-induced DCD in PNs is associated with Bax translocation to the mitochondria, cytochrome C release from the mitochondria, changes in mitochondrial potential, and activation of representative initiator and executor caspases that include caspase-9, caspase-3, and caspase-7. AMPA consistently and rapidly hyperpolarized mitochondria as reflected by an increase in MitoTracker Red CMS Ros fluorescence. Increases in Bax immunoreactivity were quantitatively and temporally variable and Bax failed to localize to mitochondria. Additionally, we observed a marked increase in immunoreactivity of cytochrome C although its release from mitochondria was not apparent. Mitochondrial membrane hyperpolarization and increases in cytochrome C immunoreactivity preceded caspase activation. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed the active form of caspases-3 and -9 were markedly and significantly increased in PNs following 30 microM AMPA, and caspase-9 activation preceded caspase-3. Increases in active caspase-7 immunoreactivity were less frequently encountered in PNs. Thus DCD shares some characteristics of apoptotic programmed cell death, but lacks typical mitochondrial pathophysiology associated with classic apoptosis. These findings suggest that AMPA-induced DCD is a form of active PCD that lies on a spectrum between classical apoptosis and passive necrosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Mitochondrial dysfunction in osteoarthritis.

In osteoarthritis (OA) a time or age dependent process leads to aberrant cartilage structure which is characterized by reduced number of chondrocytes, loss of existing cartilage extracellular matrix, the production of matrix with abnormal composition and pathologic matrix calcification. Because chondrocyte matrix synthesis and mineralization are modulated by the balance between ATP generation and consumption, the mechanism by which chondrocytes generate energy have been a topic of interest. The analysis of mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) activity in OA chondrocytes shows a significant decrease in complexes II and III compared to normal chondrocytes. On the other hand, mitochondrial mass is increased in OA, as demonstrated by a significant rise in CS activity. Furthermore, OA cells show a reduction in the mitochondrial membrane potential (deltapsim) as demonstrated by using the fluorescent probe JC-1. OA cartilage contains high number of apoptotic chondrocytes, and mitochondria play a key role in apoptosis. Interestingly, OA cartilages show markedly elevated Bcl-2 and caspasa-3 expression. This expression is also correlated with chondrocyte apoptosis and OA lesions. The pathogenesis of OA includes elaboration of increased amounts of NO as a consequence of up-regulation of chondrocyte-inducible NO synthase induced by IL-1, TNF-alpha and other factors. NO reduces chondrocyte survival and induces cell death with morphologic changes characteristic of chondrocyte apoptosis. NO reduces the activity of complex IV and decreases the deltapsim as measured as the ratio of red/green fluorescence. Furthermore, NO induces the mRNA expression of caspase-3 and -7, and it reduces the expression of mRNA bcl-2 and the bcl-2 protein synthesis. Some studies suggest that the chondrocyte mitochondria are specialized for calcium transport and are important in the calcification of the extracellular matrix. Mineral formation has been demonstrated in matrix vesicles (MV) and within mitochondria. Direct suppression of mitochondrial respiration promoted MV-mediated mineralization in chondrocytes. Regulation of MRC may be one of the signaling pathways by which NO modulates articular cartilage matrix biosynthesis and pathologic mineralization. After age 40, the incidence of OA in humans increases progressively with increasing age. Studies show a trend to statistic significance between the age and the reduction of complex I activity of human normal chondrocytes. However, the study of relation between age and deltapsim in normal chondrocytes do not demonstrate any significant correlation. It has been reported that as the number of population doublings increased, mitochondrial DNA was degraded and the number of mitochondria per chondrocyte decline. One approach for determining the role of mitochondria in OA is to determine the effects of the MRC inhibition and to compare them with the findings in OA. Inhibition of MRC with antimycin prevents the normal ability of TGFbeta to increase excretion of Pi, thereby worsening deposition of pathologic HA crystals. In chondrocytes, the inhibition of complex IV with NaN3 modified both the deltapsim and the survival of cells inducing apoptosis. Inhibition of complex I with rotenone increases the expression and synthesis of Bcl-2 and Cox-2, both effects are similar effects to produced by IL-1 in human chondrocytes.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

A C-terminal domain of HIV-1 accessory protein Vpr is involved in penetration, mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis of human CD4+ lymphocytes.

We have previously shown that expression of HIV-1 vpr in yeast results in cell growth arrest and structural defects, and identified a C-terminal domain of Vpr as being responsible for these effects in yeast. In this report we show that recombinant Vpr and C-terminal peptides of Vpr containing the conserved sequence HFRIGCRHSRIG caused permeabilization of CD4+ T lymphocytes, a dramatic reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential and finally cell death. Vpr and Vpr peptides containing the conserved sequence rapidly penetrated cells, co-localized with the DNA, and caused increased granularity and formation of dense apoptotic bodies. The above results suggest that Vpr treated cells undergo apoptosis and this was confirmed by demonstration of DNA fragmentation by the highly sensitive TUNEL assay. Our results, together with the demonstration of extracellular Vpr in HIV infected individuals, suggest the possibility that extracellular Vpr could contribute to the apoptotic death and depletion of bystander cells in lymphoid tissues during HIV infection.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Enterocyte mitochondrial dysfunction due to oxidative stress.

The endogenous production of H2O2 in isolated rat intestinal mitochondria and oxidant induced damage to mitochondria were examined. There was an appreciable amount of H2O2 production in presence of succinate, glutamate and pyruvate, while the presence of rotenone with succinate further increased production. Superoxide generated by the X-XO system induced membrane permeability transition (MPT), calcium influx, lipid peroxidation and changes in membrane fluidity in mitochondria. A decreased mitochondrial ATPase activity and uncoupling of respiration was also observed. Spermine inhibited swelling induced by X-XO and also blocked the calcium influx and reversed the membrane fluidity changes.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Studies of peripheral sensory nerves in paclitaxel-induced painful peripheral neuropathy: evidence for mitochondrial dysfunction.

Paclitaxel chemotherapy frequently induces neuropathic pain during and often persisting after therapy. The mechanisms responsible for this pain are unknown. Using a rat model of paclitaxel-induced painful peripheral neuropathy, we have performed studies to search for peripheral nerve pathology. Paclitaxel-induced mechano-allodynia and mechano-hyperalgesia were evident after a short delay, peaked at day 27 and finally resolved on day 155. Paclitaxel- and vehicle-treated rats were perfused on days 7, 27 and 160. Portions of saphenous nerves were processed for electron microscopy. There was no evidence of paclitaxel-induced degeneration or regeneration as myelin structure was normal and the number/density of myelinated axons and C-fibres was unaltered by paclitaxel treatment at any time point. In addition, the prevalence of ATF3-positive dorsal root ganglia cells was normal in paclitaxel-treated animals. With one exception, at day 160 in myelinated axons, total microtubule densities were also unaffected by paclitaxel both in C-fibres and myelinated axons. C-fibres were significantly swollen following paclitaxel at days 7 and 27 compared to vehicle. The most striking finding was significant increases in the prevalence of atypical (swollen and vacuolated) mitochondria in both C-fibres (1.6- to 2.3-fold) and myelinated axons (2.4- to 2.6-fold) of paclitaxel-treated nerves at days 7 and 27. Comparable to the pain behaviour, these mitochondrial changes had resolved by day 160. Our data do not support a causal role for axonal degeneration or dysfunction of axonal microtubules in paclitaxel-induced pain. Instead, our data suggest that a paclitaxel-induced abnormality in axonal mitochondria of sensory nerves contributes to paclitaxel-induced pain.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Mitochondrial dysfunction and free radical damage in the Huntington R6/2 transgenic mouse.

Huntington's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by an abnormally expanded (>36) CAG repeat within the ITI5 gene encoding a widely expressed 349-kd protein, huntingtin. The medium spiny neurons of the caudate preferentially degenerate in Huntington's disease, with the presence of neuronal intranuclear inclusions. Excitotoxicity is thought to be important in the pathogenesis of Huntington's disease; the recently described mitochondrial respiratory chain and aconitase defects in Huntington's disease brain are consistent with this hypothesis. A transgenic mouse model (R6/2) of Huntington's disease develops a movement disorder, muscle wasting, and premature death at about 14 to 16 weeks. Selective neuronal death in these mice is not seen until 14 weeks. Biochemical analysis of R6/2 mouse brain at 12 weeks demonstrated a significant reduction in aconitase and mitochondrial complex IV activities in the striatum and a decrease in complex IV activity in the cerebral cortex. Increased immunostaining for inducible nitric oxide synthase and nitrotyrosine was seen in the transgenic mouse model but not control mouse brains. These results extend the parallels between Huntington's disease and the transgenic mouse model to biochemical events and suggest complex IV deficiency and elevated nitric oxide and superoxide radical generation precede neuronal death in the R6/2 mouse and contribute to pathogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed2007

Sulindac-derived reactive oxygen species induce apoptosis of human multiple myeloma cells via p38 mitogen activated protein kinase-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are well known to induce apoptosis of cancer cells independent of their ability to inhibit cyclooxygenase-2, but the molecular mechanism for this effect has not yet been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the potential signaling components underlying sulindac-induced apoptosis in human multiple myeloma (MM) cells. We found that sulindac induces apoptosis by promoting ROS generation, accompanied by opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pores, release of cytochrome c and apoptosis inducing factor from mitochondria, followed by caspase activation. Bcl-2 cleavage and down-regulation of the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) family including cIAP-1/2, XIAP, and survivin, occurred downstream of ROS production during sulindac-induced apoptosis. Forced expression of survivin and Bcl-2 blocked sulindac-induced apoptosis. Most importantly, sulindac-derived ROS activated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and p53. SB203580, a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor, and RNA inhibition of p53 inhibited the sulindac-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, p53, Bax, and Bak accumulated in mitochondria during sulindac-induced apoptosis. All of these events were significantly suppressed by SB203580. Our results demonstrate a novel mechanism of sulindac-induced apoptosis in human MM cells, namely, accumulation of p53, Bax, and Bak in mitochondria mediated by p38 MAPK activation downstream of ROS production.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1986

Consequences of cadmium toxicity in rat hepatocytes: mitochondrial dysfunction and lipid peroxidation.

Cadmium (Cd) (10-100 microM) decreased the ATP/ADP ratio and enhanced lipid peroxidation (LPO) (measured as thiobarbituric acid reactants) in incubated rat hepatocytes. Analysis of the subcellular distribution of Cd indicated its preferential attachment to the inner membranes of mitochondria. Incubation of isolated mitochondria with 0.005-0.05 microM Cd resulted in increased formation of formazans from nitroblue tetrazolium salts, indicating enhanced membrane permeability to succinate. These Cd-concentrations also diminished mitochondrial ATP. LPO in mitochondria strongly increased only after Cd-exposures above 1 microM Cd. Similarly, in Cd-treated hepatocytes decreases in ATP/ADP ratios corresponded to increases in LPO stimulation only at 30 and 60 min but not at 15 min of incubation when ATP/ADP ratios were already affected. Moreover, neither hepatocellular ATP/ADP decrease nor mitochondrial formazan formation due to Cd were prevented by (+)-cyanidanol-3, an effective inhibitor of Cd-induced LPO. These data suggest that even low Cd-concentrations in the hepatocyte disturb the integrity of its mitochondrial membranes concomitantly impairing the hepatocellular energy supply. LPO, only observed at higher Cd-concentrations, is not responsible for these adverse Cd-effects.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed2002

Alpha7 nicotinic receptor activation inhibits ethanol-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, cytochrome c release and neurotoxicity in primary rat hippocampal neuronal cultures.

Primary hippocampal neuronal cultures exhibited a concentration- and time-dependent loss of cells when exposed to ethanol (EtOH). EtOH-induced neurotoxicity was attenuated by 2,4-dimethoxybenzilidene anabaseine (DMXB) which selectively activates alpha7 nicotinic receptors in a concentration-dependent manner. We further investigated the mechanisms of the protective effect of DMXB on EtOH- induced neurotoxicity. We found that EtOH decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential and released cytochrome c from mitochondria at neurotoxic concentrations. DMXB (3 microm) attenuated both of these actions in a manner that was in turn blocked with the nicotinic antagonist methyllyconitine (MLA) 100 nm. Neither DMXB nor MLA alone affected these parameters. These results suggest that the neuroprotection conferred by alpha7 nicotinic receptor activation may be mediated, at least in part, through preventing the decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential and the increase in the release of cytochrome c caused by EtOH.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

MPP(+)-induced mitochondrial dysfunction is potentiated by dopamine.

MPP(+), the major metabolite of the Parkinsonism-inducing compound MPTP, responsible for the destruction of the nigrostriatal pathway in primates and rodents, has been assayed in isolated rat liver mitochondria in the presence of physiological concentrations of dopamine or analogous concentrations of melanin-dopamine. 5 microM MPP(+) in the presence of 70 microM dopamine or melanin-dopamine, but not alone, decreased the heat production and oxygen consumption of a mitochondrial suspension activated with succinate and ADP. Both dopamine and oxidized dopamine plus MPP(+) also decreased the mitochondrial reductive power measured with MTT. Mitochondrial swelling was observed, associated with an increase in membrane mitochondrial potential, as a synergistic effect between low concentrations of MPP(+) and dopamine. It is suggested that cytosolic dopamine, by itself or via its autooxidation products, may play a relevant role in the mitochondrial toxicity of MPP(+). A failure in the regulation of the storage/release of dopamine could aggravate a mitochondrial damage and trigger the neurodegenerative process underlying MPTP toxicity and Parkinson's disease.

1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium↗
PubMed2002

Oxygen and glucose deprivation induces mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in neurones but not in astrocytes in primary culture.

In order to investigate the potential neuroprotective role played by glucose metabolism during brain oxygen deprivation, the susceptibility of cultured neurones and astrocytes to 1 h of oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) or oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) was examined. OGD, but not hypoxia, promotes dihydrorhodamine 123 and glutathione oxidation in neurones but not in astrocytes reflecting free radical generation in the former cells. A specific loss of mitochondrial complex-I activity, mitochondrial membrane potential collapse, ATP depletion and necrosis occurred in the OGD neurones, but not in the OGD astrocytes. Furthermore, superoxide anion but not nitric oxide formation was responsible for these effects. OGD decreased neuronal but not astrocytic NADPH concentrations; this was not observed in hypoxia and was independent of superoxide or nitric oxide formation. These results suggest that glucose metabolism would supply NADPH, through the pentose-phosphate pathway, aimed at preventing oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage and neurotoxicity during oxygen deprivation to neural cells.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2003

Reactive oxygen species generation and mitochondrial dysfunction in the apoptotic response to Bortezomib, a novel proteasome inhibitor, in human H460 non-small cell lung cancer cells.

Bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor, shows substantial anti-tumor activity in a variety of tumor cell lines, is in phase I, II, and III clinical trials and has recently been approved for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma. The sequence of events leading to apoptosis following proteasome inhibition by bortezomib is unclear. Bortezomib effects on components of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway were examined: generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), alteration in the mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta psi m), and release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. With human H460 lung cancer cells, bortezomib exposure at 0.1 microM showed induction of apoptotic cell death starting at 24 h, with increasing effects after 48-72 h of treatment. After 3-6 h, an elevation in ROS generation, an increase in Delta psi m, and the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, were observed in a time-dependent manner. Co-incubation with rotenone and antimycin A, inhibitors of mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes I and III, or with cyclosporine A, an inhibitor of mitochondrial permeability transition pore, resulted in inhibition of bortezomib-induced ROS generation, increase in Delta psi m, and cytochrome c release. Tiron, an antioxidant agent, blocked the bortezomib-induced ROS production, Delta psi m increase, and cytochrome c release. Tiron treatment also protected against the bortezomib-induced PARP protein cleavage and cell death. Benzyloxycarbonyl-VAD-fluoromethyl ketone, an inhibitor of pan-caspase, did not alter the bortezomib-induced ROS generation and increase in Delta psi m, although it prevented bortezomib-induced poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and apoptotic death. In PC-3 prostate carcinoma cells (with overexpression of Bcl-2), a reduction of bortezomib-induced ROS generation, Delta psi m increase was correlated with cellular resistance to bortezomib and the attenuation of drug-induced apoptosis. The transient transfection of wild type p53 in p53 null H358 cells caused stimulation of the bortezomib-induced apoptosis but failed to enhance ROS generation and Delta psi m increase. Thus ROS generation plays a critical role in the initiation of the bortezomib-induced apoptotic cascade by mediation of the disruption of Delta psi m and the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria.

1,2-Dihydroxybenzene-3,5-Disulfonic Acid Disodium ↗
PubMed1996

Thapsigargin induces mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in the mastocytoma P815 cell line and in mouse thymocytes.

Thapsigargin is a plant-derived inhibitor of the endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase.Treatment with thapsigargin leads to a rapid, large and prolonged increase in the intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)). Previously thapsigargin has been shown to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis. Here we report the results of thapsigargin treatment in thymocytes harvested from 10-day-old mice and in the P815 mastocytoma cell line. In thapsigargin-treated cells we observed enlarged mitochondria with disrupted cristae structure. These mitochondria closely resembled those observed after the induction of phase transition. To determine if the mitochondria were functioning normally the cells were stained with rhodamine 123 (R123) and analysed with flow cytometry. After thapsigargin treatment the R123 staining decreased, indicative of a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore intracellular ATP concentrations were also found to be reduced in cells treated with thapsigargin. Taken together these results indicate an increase in the [Ca(2+)](i) caused by thapsigargin treatment results in dysfunctional mitochondria and reduced ATP. We propose that this decrease in the concentration of ATP provokes the onset of thapsigargin-induced apoptosis. To investigate the effect of thapsigargin treatment on the cell cycle, rapidly cycling P815 cells were sorted into populations enriched for either G(0)/G(1) or S/G(2)/M phases, and these populations were then treated with thapsigargin. Thapsigargin treatment induced a cell cycle block before S phase. We propose that the block in the cell cycle induced by thapsigargin was a result of the decreased intracellular ATP concentration interfering with the energy requiring processes of DNA replication. The block could also be related to the high intracellular calcium ion concentration that would interfere with the subtle calcium transients involved in the cell's preparations for replication and mitosis. Apoptosis occurred to an equal extent in both populations of cells.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Heat shock pretreatment prevents cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction during sepsis.

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of previous heat shock treatment on the mitochondria function of the heart during a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis model. Rats of the heated group were heated by whole-body hyperthermia 24 h before the CLP operation. Cardiac mitochondria were freshly collected 9 and 18 h after CLP, indicating early and late sepsis, respectively. The expressions of heat shock protein 72 (Hsp72), glucose-regulated protein 75 (Grp75), and mitochondrial complexes I, II, III, and IV were evaluated by Western blot and immunochemical analysis. Enzyme activities of NADH cytochrome c reductase (NCCR), succinate cytochrome c reductase (SCCR), and cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) were measured after the reduction or oxidation of cytochrome c using a spectrophotometer. The results showed that the ATP content in the heart significantly declined during late sepsis, whereas heat shock treatment reversed this declination. The enzyme activities of NCCR, SCCR, and CCO were apparently suppressed during late stage of sepsis. The protein expressions of mitochondrial complex II and complex IV and Grp75 were also down-regulated during sepsis. Previously treated by heat shock, late-sepsis rats emerged with a high preservation of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes, both the protein amount and enzyme activity. Aspects of morphology were observed by electron microscopy, while heat shock treatment revealed the attenuation of cardiac mitochondrial damage induced by sepsis. In conclusion, structural deformity and the decrease of respiratory chain enzyme activity in mitochondria and its leading to a decline of ATP content are highly correlated with the deterioration of cardiac function during sepsis, and heat shock can reverse adverse effects, thus achieving a protective goal.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗