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Nitric oxide suppression reversibly attenuates mitochondrial dysfunction and cholestasis in endotoxemic rat liver.

This study aimed to examine whether nitric oxide (NO) plays a causal role in endotoxin-induced dysfunction of biliary transport. Rats were treated with intraperitoneal injection of endotoxin (O111B4, 4 mg/kg). At 2 hours, the liver was excised and perfused ex vivo with taurocholate (TC)-containing Krebs-Ringer solution under monitoring bile output and NO2 in the perfusate and tissue cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels as indices of NO production. The endotoxin treatment evoked a marked decrease in the bile acid-dependent bile formation concurrent with the increasing NO2 output, cGMP elevation, and a reduction of hepatic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) contents and oxygen consumption. Perfusion with 1 mmol/L aminoguanidine (AG), an inhibitor of inducible NO synthase, but not with L-nitroarginine methyl ester, an inhibitor of the constitutive form of the enzyme, significantly reversed the endotoxin-induced increment of the bile formation in concert with the recovery of oxygen consumption and ATP levels. Laser confocal microfluorography of the liver lobules using rhodamine 123 (Rh), a fluoroprobe sensitive to mitochondrial membrane potential, revealed that endotoxin elicited a significant mitochondrial dysfunction panlobularly. The AG administration reversed the endotoxin-induced decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential. Collectively, up-regulation of NO by inducible NO synthase accounts for a mechanism through which endotoxin impairs the bile formation, and its suppression serves as a therapeutic strategy for improvement of hepatobiliary function.

Animals↗

Delayed phytohemagglutinin-stimulated production of adenosine triphosphate by aged human lymphocytes: possible relation to mitochondrial dysfunction.

The decreased immune response associated with aging may, in part, reflect intrinsic age-related biochemical alterations in lymphocytes from older animals. We measured levels of lymphocyte adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and continuous [3H]thymidine incorporation in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes from young and old humans, and the effects thereon of inhibitors of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and protein synthesis. No difference was found in adenine nucleotide content between young and old subjects. After 24 hours of culture there was a decrease in ATP, with recovery and 2--3-fold increase at 48 hours in young cells after phytohemagglutinin stimulation. We observed a clearcut delay in older lymphocytes of the increase in ATP and [3H]thymidine incorporation following phytohemagglutinin stimulation. We found no evidence for decreased viability or diminished number of responding units in aged cultures. The evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction may play a role in the immunodeficiency of aging.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

Mitochondrial dysfunction induced by fatty acid ethyl esters, myocardial metabolites of ethanol.

Mechanisms responsible for alcohol-induced heart muscle disease have been difficult to elucidate partly because of previously obscure, demonstrable cardiac metabolism of ethanol. Recently, fatty acid ethyl esters were identified in our laboratory and found to be myocardial metabolites of ethanol. In the present study, they have been shown to induce mitochondrial dysfunction. Incubation of isolated myocardial mitochondria with fatty acid ethyl esters led to a concentration-dependent reduction of the respiratory control ratio index of coupling of oxidative phosphorylation and decrement of maximal rate of oxygen consumption. Furthermore, fatty acid ethyl esters were demonstrated to bind to mitochondria in vitro, and, importantly, 72% of intracellularly synthesized ethyl esters were found to bind to mitochondria isolated from intact tissue incubated with ethanol. Protein binding of fatty acid ethyl esters was markedly less than that of fatty acids. Because uncoupling of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation correlated with the cleavage of fatty acid ethyl ester shown to be initially bound to mitochondria, with resultant generation of fatty acid, a potent uncoupler, in a locus in or near the mitochondrial membrane, fatty acid ethyl esters may contribute to a potentially toxic shuttle for fatty acid with transport from physiological intracellular binding sites to the mitochondrial membrane; direct effects of fatty acid ethyl esters may also be deleterious. Operation of this shuttle as a result of ethanol ingestion and subsequent accumulation of fatty acid ethyl esters may account for the impaired mitochondrial function and inefficient energy production associated with toxic effects of ethanol on the heart.

Animals↗

Manganese toxicity is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and DNA fragmentation in rat primary striatal neurons.

Manganese (Mn) in excess is toxic to neurons of the globus pallidus, leading to a Parkinsonian-like syndrome. We used rat primary neuron cultures to examine the cellular events following manganese exposure. Following exposure to Mn(2+) for 48 h, striatal neurons showed dose-dependent losses of mitochondrial membrane potential and complex II activity. The Mn exposure effect on mitochondrial membrane potential was significant at every concentration measured (5, 50, and 500 microM), and the manganese exposure effect on complex II activity was significant at 50 and 500 microM. Exposure of striatal neurons to both Mn(2+) and the complex II inhibitor 3-nitropropionic acid resulted in additive toxicity. Striatal neurons exposed to 5 microM Mn(2+) for 48 h exhibited DNA fragmentation and decreases in the immunohistochemically detectable microtubule-associated protein MAP-2. These results indicate that manganese may trigger apoptotic-like neuronal death secondary to mitochondrial dysfunction. Rescue of neurons by apoptosis inhibitors may be helpful in treating manganese toxicity and similar neurodegenerative processes.

Animals↗

The effects of SUN 1165, a novel sodium channel blocker, on ischemia-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and leakage of lysosomal enzymes in canine hearts.

The cardioprotective effect of SUN 1165, a novel sodium channel blocker, was investigated on ischemic myocardium. Nineteen anesthetized dogs were subjected to 2 hours coronary occlusion, and divided into 2 groups. In the control group, physiological saline was infused. In the SUN 1165 group, 2 mg/kg of SUN 1165 was injected intravenously. Two hours after occlusion, heart mitochondria were prepared from both ischemic and non-ischemic areas in each group, and their functions (RCI and St.III O2) were measured polarographically with succinate as a substrate. Fractionation of myocardial tissue from both non-ischemic and ischemic areas was performed according to the method of Weglicki et al., and the activities of lysosomal enzymes (NAG and beta-gluc) were measured. In the control group, mitochondrial dysfunction and leakage of lysosomal enzymes induced by 2 hours occlusion were observed. Administration of SUN 1165 maintained mitochondrial function, and prevented the leakage of lysosomal enzymes caused by ischemia significantly. These results indicated that SUN 1165 has a cardioprotective effect in ischemic heart.

Animals↗

PGM1 deficiency is linked to sarcomeric and mitochondrial dysfunction in patient-derived iPSC-cardiomyocytes.

BACKGROUND: PGM1-congenital disorder of glycosylation (PGM1-CDG) is frequently associated with cardiomyopathy. Although galactose therapy corrects glycosylation defects, cardiac dysfunction typically persists, suggesting a glycosylation-independent mechanism. Recent evidence of mitochondrial abnormalities in PGM1-deficient human and murine heart, together with the association of PGM1 with the Z-disk protein LDB3 (ZASP/Cypher), suggests a critical role for PGM1 in cardiomyocyte structural and energetic homeostasis. We hypothesized that PGM1-related cardiomyopathy arises from a glycosylation-independent disruption of Z-disk-mitochondrial coupling driven by loss of PGM1-LDB3 interactions, resulting in mitochondrial energy failure and impaired contractile function. METHODS: Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iCMs) were generated from PGM1-deficient patient fibroblasts. Multielectrode array (MEA) recordings, untargeted (glyco)proteomics, and pathway analysis were performed to assess functional and molecular changes. Key findings were validated using tracer metabolomics and mitochondrial respiration assays. RESULTS: PGM1-deficient iCMs exhibited reduced beating frequency, impaired contractility, and prolonged contraction kinetics. Proteomic analyses revealed depletion of Z-disk components, including LDB3. AlphaFold3 structural modeling predicted a direct interaction between PGM1 and LDB3, implicating PGM1 in Z-disk integrity, which was confirmed in vitro. In addition, mitochondrial proteins were severely depleted, prompting us to investigate mitochondrial function. Functional validation confirmed extensive metabolic rewiring, energy depletion, and severely impaired mitochondrial respiration. Finally, the in silico drug repurposing identified possible therapeutic options that could target PGM1-deficient cardiomyopathy. CONCLUSION: Our data suggests PGM1 is key regulator of cardiomyocyte function, linking sarcomeric Z-disk integrity with mitochondrial metabolism. These mechanistic insights offer a foundation for developing targeted therapies for PGM1-CDG and potentially other cardiomyopathies involving Z-disk dysfunction.

Humans↗

Induction of mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in HeLa cells by bis-pyridinium oximes, a newly synthesized family of lipophilic biscations.

When tested on HeLa cells, bis-pyridinium oximes (BPO), a family of newly synthesized molecules whose charged pyridinium moieties are linked by a linear polymethylene chain of variable length (N = 3 to 12) have been shown to possess an inhibitory effect on cell growth and finally to provoke cell death. BPO-affected cells displayed reduced mitochondrial oxygen consumption and ATP stores and were blocked in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Mitochondrial membrane potential, as assayed with the dye 3,3'-diexyloxacarbocyanine iodide [DiOC6(3)], increased in BPO-treated cells with time of exposure. Cell growth inhibition as well mitochondrial dysfunction were observed only with derivatives having a long polymethylene linking chain (N > or = 6). Furthermore, the concentration of the compound eliciting such effects was inversely related to the number of methylene groups in the linking chain. None of the BPO with N = 6 to 12 modified the mitochondrial DNA content, relative to the nuclear DNA content. In BPO (N = 8 and N = 12)-treated cells, chromatin fragmentation and internucleosomal DNA cleavage occurred massively, indicating that the death mode induced by these compounds is apoptosis. The possible pathway of action and the potential pharmacological interest of these compounds are discussed.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Calcium and reactive oxygen species mediate staurosporine-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in PC12 cells.

The bacterial alkaloid staurosporine is widely employed as an inducer of apoptosis in many cell types including neurons. The intracellular cascades that mediate staurosporine-induced apoptosis are largely unknown. Exposure of cultured PC12 cells to staurosporine resulted in a rapid (min) and prolonged (1-6 hr) elevation of intracellular free calcium levels [Ca2+]i, accumulation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), and decreased mitochondrial 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction (1-4 hr). These early events were followed by membrane lipid peroxidation, loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and nuclear apoptotic changes. Treatment of cells with serum or nerve growth factor within 1-2 hr of staurosporine exposure resulted in recovery of [Ca2+]i and ROS levels, and rescued the cells from apoptosis. The increased [Ca2+]i and ROS production were required for staurosporine-induced apoptosis because the intracellular calcium chelator BAPTA and uric acid (an agent that scavenges peroxynitrite) each protected cells against apoptosis. The caspase inhibitor zVAD-fmk and the anti-apoptotic gene product Bcl-2 prevented the sustained [Ca2+]i increase and ROS accumulation induced by staurosporine indicating that caspases act very early in the apoptotic process. Our data indicate that a [Ca2+]i increase is an early and critical event in staurosporine-induced apoptosis that engages a cell death pathway involving ROS production, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Animals↗

Temporal relationships between ceramide production, caspase activation and mitochondrial dysfunction in cell lines with varying sensitivity to anti-Fas-induced apoptosis.

To clarify the chronology of events leading to anti-Fas-induced apoptosis, and the mechanisms of resistance to this death effector, we compared the response kinetics of three tumour cell lines that display varying sensitivity to anti-Fas (based on levels of apoptosis), in terms of ceramide release, mitochondrial function and the caspase-activation pathway. In the highly sensitive Jurkat cell line, early caspase-8 activation, observed from 2 h after treatment, was chronologically associated with an acute depletion of glutathione and the cleavage of caspase-3 and poly-ADP ribosyl polymerase (PARP), followed by a progressive fall in the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (Delta(psi)m), between 4 and 48 h after treatment. Ceramide levels began to increase 2 h after the addition of anti-Fas (with no increase during the first hour), and increased continuously to 640% of control cells at 48 h. In the moderately sensitive SCC61 adherent cells, comparable results were observed, though with lower levels of ceramide and a delay in the response kinetics, with apoptotic cells becoming flotant. Finally, despite early cleavage of caspase-8 at 2 h, and a sustained level of activation until 48 h, no apoptotic response was observed in anti-Fas-resistant SQ20B cells. This was confirmed by a lack of ceramide generation and mitochondrial changes, and by the absence of any detectable cleavage of caspase-3 or PARP. Inhibition of caspase processing, and amplification of endogenous ceramide signalling by pharmacological agents, allowed us to establish the order of cellular events, locating ceramide release after caspase-8 activation and before caspase-3 activation, and demonstrating a direct involvement for ceramide release in mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, these experiments provide strong arguments for the role of endogenous ceramide as a key executor of apoptosis, rather than as a consequence of membrane alterations.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Single-cell profiling of trabecular meshwork identifies mitochondrial dysfunction in a glaucoma model that is protected by vitamin B3 treatment.

Since the trabecular meshwork (TM) is central to intraocular pressure (IOP) regulation and glaucoma, a deeper understanding of its genomic landscape is needed. We present a multimodal, single-cell resolution analysis of mouse limbal cells (includes TM). In total, we sequenced 9,394 wild-type TM cell transcriptomes. We discovered three TM cell subtypes with characteristic signature genes validated by immunofluorescence on tissue sections and whole-mounts. The subtypes are robust, being detected in datasets for two diverse mouse strains and in independent data from two institutions. Results show compartmentalized enrichment of critical pathways in specific TM cell subtypes. Distinctive signatures include increased expression of genes responsible for 1) extracellular matrix structure and metabolism (TM1 subtype), 2) secreted ligand signaling to support Schlemm's canal cells (TM2), and 3) contractile and mitochondrial/metabolic activity (TM3). ATAC-sequencing data identified active transcription factors in TM cells, including LMX1B. Mutations in LMX1B cause high IOP and glaucoma. LMX1B is emerging as a key transcription factor for normal mitochondrial function and its expression is much higher in TM3 cells than other limbal cells. To understand the role of LMX1B in TM function and glaucoma, we single-cell sequenced limbal cells from Lmx1b V265D/+ mutant mice (2,491 TM cells). In V265D/+ mice, TM3 cells were uniquely affected by pronounced mitochondrial pathway changes. Mitochondria in TM cells of V265D/+ mice are swollen with a reduced cristae area, further supporting a role for mitochondrial dysfunction in the initiation of IOP elevation in these mice. Importantly, treatment with vitamin B3 (nicotinamide), to enhance mitochondrial function and metabolic resilience, significantly protected Lmx1b mutant mice from IOP elevation.

Journal Article↗

Prostate apoptosis response-4 mediates trophic factor withdrawal-induced apoptosis of hippocampal neurons: actions prior to mitochondrial dysfunction and caspase activation.

Prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4) is the product of a gene up-regulated in prostate cancer cells undergoing apoptosis. We now report that Par-4 mRNA and protein levels rapidly and progressively increase 4-24 h following trophic factor withdrawal (TFW) in cultured embryonic rat hippocampal neurons. The increased Par-4 levels follow an increase of reactive oxygen species, and precede mitochondrial membrane depolarization, caspase activation, and nuclear chromatin condensation/fragmentation. Pretreatment of cultures with 17beta-estradiol, vitamin E, and uric acid largely prevented Par-4 induction and cell death following TFW, demonstrating necessary roles for oxidative stress and membrane lipid peroxidation in TFW-induced neuronal apoptosis. Par-4 antisense oligonucleotide treatment blocked Par-4 protein increases and attenuated mitochondrial dysfunction, caspase activation, and cell death following TFW. Collectively, our data identify Par-4 as an early and pivotal player in neuronal apoptosis resulting from TFW and suggest that estrogen and antioxidants may prevent apoptosis, in part, by suppressing Par-4 production.

Animals↗

Mitochondrial dysfunction induced by oxidative stress in the brains of hamsters infected with the 263 K scrapie agent.

Scrapie, one of the prion diseases, is a transmissible neurodegenerative disease of sheep and other animals. Clinical symptoms of prion diseases are characterized by a long latent period, followed by progressive ataxia, tremor, and death. To study the induction of neurodegeneration during scrapie infection, we have analyzed the activities of various antioxidant enzymes and mitochondrial enzymes in cerebral cortex, brain stem, and cerebellum of scrapie-infected hamsters. The activity of mitochondrial Mn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) was decreased, while the activities of cytosolic Cu/Zn-SOD and catalase were not altered in infected brains. The activities of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase were increased in scrapie-infected hamsters. The decreased activity of Mn-SOD might result in increasing oxidative stress in the mitochondria of infected brain; this concept is supported by our findings of a high level of lipid peroxidation, and low levels of ATPase and cytochrome c oxidase activity in the infected cerebral mitochondria. In addition, structural abnormalities of mitochondria have been observed in the neurons of hippocampus and cerebral cortex of infected brain. These results suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction caused by oxidative stress gives rise to neurodegeneration in prion disease.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Mitochondrial dysfunction of cardiomyocytes causing impairment of cellular energy metabolism induces apoptosis, and concomitant increase in cardiac endothelin-1 expression.

It has been reported that at the end stage, apoptosis is involved in the progression of heart failure. It is suggested that cardiac energy metabolism is impaired during the progression of heart failure. Although the mechanism of induction of apoptosis in the failing heart varies according to the model of heart failure, it is not known whether an impairment of energy metabolism in cardiomyocytes is a primary cause of apoptosis. In this study, we applied mitochondrial inhibitors, such as rotenone, cobalt chloride and antimycin A, which inhibit mitochondrial function at different sites of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, to cardiomyocytes. All these reagents markedly decreased 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay (MTT) reduction activity, an indicator of mitochondrial function, of cardiomyocytes and greatly increased glucose consumption, suggesting that cardiac energy metabolism is switched from beta-oxidation of fatty acid to glycolysis. It was shown that after 48-72 h of treatment with each reagent, apoptosis was shown to occur by DNA laddering and increase in caspase activity. Interestingly, each reagent with a different action site greatly activated caspase-3, but not caspase-8 activity, suggesting that mitochondria are involved in induction of apoptosis. On the other hand, within 24 h of the treatment, when apoptosis of cardiomyocytes was not observed, the treated cardiomyocytes showed a marked increase in preproendothelin-1 and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) gene expressions. In conclusion, the present study suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction with impaired energy metabolism elevates gene expression of cardiac ET-1, an aggravating factor in heart failure, and then finally induces apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. The finding of marked increases in expression of molecular markers (ET-1 mRNA and ANP mRNA) in the failing heart, followed by apoptosis in the treated cardiomyocytes suggests that the inhibition of mitochondrial function of cultured cardiomyocytes provides a possible new in vitro model of heart failure.

Animals↗

Mitochondrial dysfunction and cytoskeletal disruption during chemical hypoxia to cultured rat hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells: the pH paradox and cytoprotection by glucose, acidotic pH, and glycine.

We investigated mechanisms underlying death of cultured rat liver sinusoidal endothelial cells exposed to chemical hypoxia with KCN (2.5 mmol/L) to simulate the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion and reductive stress of anoxia. During chemical hypoxia, acidotic pH prevented cell death. Glucose (0.3-10 mmol/L) also prevented cell killing. Cytoprotection by glucose but not acidosis was associated with prevention of ATP depletion. After 4 hours of chemical hypoxia at pH 6.2 (simulated ischemia), rapid cell death occurred when pH was restored to pH 7.4 with or without washout of KCN (simulated reperfusion). This pH-dependent reperfusion injury (pH paradox) was prevented after KCN washout at pH 6.2. Glycine (0.3-3 mmol/L) also prevented the pH paradox, but glucose did not. The initial protection by acidotic pH and glycine during simulated reperfusion was lost when pH was later restored to 7.4 or glycine was subsequently removed. Mitochondria depolarized during chemical hypoxia. After washout of cyanide, mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi) did not recover in cells that subsequently lost viability. Conversely, those cells that repolarized after cyanide washout did not subsequently lose viability. The actin cytoskeleton and focal adhesions became severely disrupted during chemical hypoxia at both pH 6.2 and 7.4 and did not recover after cyanide washout under any condition. Glucose during chemical hypoxia prevented cytoskeletal disruption. In conclusion, endothelial cell damage during simulated ischemia/reperfusion involves mitochondrial dysfunction, ATP depletion, and ATP-dependent cytoskeletal disruption. Glycine and acidotic pH prevented cell killing after reperfusion but did not reverse mitochondrial injury or the profound disruption to the cytoskeleton.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

The PIM-1 serine kinase prolongs survival and inhibits apoptosis-related mitochondrial dysfunction in part through a bcl-2-dependent pathway.

We have examined potential mechanisms by which the Pim-1 kinase acts as a hematopoietic cell survival factor. Enforced expression of the wild type 33 kd (FD/hpim33) and 44 kd (FD/mpim44) Pim-1 proteins in murine factor-dependent FDCP1 cells prolonged survival after withdrawal of IL-3, while expression of a dominant negative Pim-1 protein (FD/pimNT81) shortened survival. Following removal of IL-3 FDCP1 cells exhibited loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential and production of reactive oxygen species, as determined by flow cytometry analysis. The wild type Pim-1 proteins decreased these changes while the dominant negative protein enhanced mitochondrial dysfunction. The antiapoptotic activity of the kinases could not be attributed to modulation of glutathione, catalase, or superoxide dismutase activities. Both the FD/hpim33 and FD/mpim44 cells maintained expression of bcl-2 mRNA following cytokine removal, while a substantial decrease was seen in FD/neo cells. To modulate Bcl-2 protein levels, a bcl-2 antisense RNA construct was coexpressed with the wild type pim-1 cDNAs. FD/hpim33 cells with low cellular Bcl-2 protein levels had shortened cytokine-independent survival compared with FD/hpim33 clones with high Bcl-2 expression. However survival of FD/mpim44 cells after IL-3 withdrawal was substantially independent of cellular Bcl-2 protein levels. The 33 kd protein delayed, and the 44 kd protein completely prevented enhanced cell death associated with enforced expression of human Bax protein however. Our results suggest that the 33 kd Pim-1 kinase may enhance cell survival through cooperation with and regulation of bcl-2. In addition the 44 kd kinase may regulate the expression or activity of other pro- and anti-apoptotic members of the bcl-2 family.

Animals↗

Bryostatin 1 enhances paclitaxel-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in human leukemia cells (U937) ectopically expressing Bcl-xL.

The effects of the protein kinase C (PKC) activator and down-regulator bryostatin 1 were examined with respect to paclitaxel-induced apoptosis and antiproliferative activity in human myeloid leukemia cells (U937) displaying enforced expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-xL. Overexpression of Bcl-xL blocked various aspects of paclitaxel-mediated apoptosis, including caspase-3 activation, degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta Psim), and release of cytochrome c. However, subsequent (but not prior) exposure of paclitaxel-treated U937/Bcl-xL cells (500 nM; 6 h) to bryostatin 1 (10 nM; 15 h) restored the extent of apoptosis, caspase activation, and mitochondrial damage to levels approximating those in paclitaxel-treated empty-vector control cells (U937/Neo). Potentiation of paclitaxel-induced apoptosis by bryostatin 1 in U937/Bcl-xL cells occurred primarily in the G2M cell population, and was associated with alterations in Bcl-xL gel mobility and a reduction in paclitaxel-mediated stimulation of CDK1 activity. Enhancement of paclitaxel-induced apoptosis by bryostatin 1 in Bcl-xL overexpressors was accompanied by a corresponding reduction in clonogenic potential. In contrast to its effects on apoptosis, bryostatin 1 failed to restore paclitaxel-mediated increases in free Bax levels in U937/Bcl-xL cells. Lastly, the actions of bryostatin 1 were mimicked by a pharmacologic inhibitor of the MEK1/MAP kinase pathway (PD98059), but not by SB203580, an inhibitor of p 38 MAP kinase. Moreover, sequential exposure of both U937/Neo or/Bcl-xL cells to paclitaxel followed by bryostatin 1 or PD98059 was associated with a net reduction in MAP kinase activity. Collectively, these findings indicate that protection against paclitaxel-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in human U937 leukemia cells conferred by Bcl-xL overexpression can be substantially overcome by bryostatin 1 and possibly other agents that interrupt the MAP kinase signal transduction pathway.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

The effects of verapamil on mitochondrial dysfunction associated with coronary reperfusion.

In order to clarify the protective mechanism of verapamil, the following experiment was performed. Twenty-four anesthetized dogs were divided into 3 groups of 8 animals each. In the first, the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was occluded for 15 min; in the second, 5-min reperfusion was done following a 15-min occlusion; in the third, prior to 5-min reperfusion, verapamil (0.4 mg/kg) was infused for 5 min. In each group, heart mitochondria were prepared from the normal and occluded or reperfused areas and their functions were estimated polarographically. The contents of calcium, phospholipids and fatty acids in the mitochondria were also measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, Allen's method and gas chromatography, respectively. Although occlusion induced mitochondrial dysfunction, the dysfunction was exacerbated by reperfusion. Occlusion alone did not alter the contents of calcium, phospholipids and fatty acids in mitochondria, while occlusion and subsequent reperfusion increased calcium and fatty acids and decreased phospholipids in mitochondria. Verapamil prevented these reperfusion responses. These results suggest that reperfusion injury of mitochondria is based on the degradation of mitochondrial phospholipids, which is caused by an activation of phospholipase, being triggered by a calcium increase. Verapamil, a calcium antagonist, might protect against reperfusion injury by inhibiting the activation of phospholipase.

Animals↗

Effect of 3-(2,2,2-trimethylhydrazinium) propionate, gamma-butyrobetaine hydroxylase inhibitor, on isoproterenol-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.

The present study was designed to investigate whether or not reduction of carnitine content could protect isoproterenol (ISP)-induced myocardial injury using 3-(2,2,2-trimethylhydrazinium) propionate (TMHP), gamma-butyrobetaine hydroxylase inhibitor. Rats were divided into 4 groups; the control group: untreated, the TMHP-1 group: TMHP (100 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally, and ISP (10 mg/kg) was administered subcutaneously on the following day, the TMHP-7 group: TMHP (100 mg/kg) for 7 successive days, and ISP (10 mg/kg) on the eighth day, the ISP group: ISP (10 mg/kg) was administered. Rats were cervically dislocated 15 hours after ISP administration, and heart mitochondrial electron-transport activity (NADH-cytochrome c reductase, succinate-cytochrome c reductase, and cytochrome c oxidase) were measured enzymatically. Activity of succinate-cytochrome c reductase was not affected significantly by ISP, however, NADH-cytochrome c reductase and cytochrome c oxidase were significantly reduced in the ISP and TMHP groups. Administration with TMHP for 7 successive days lessened the reduction of the activities. Mitochondrial electron-transport system plays an important role in cellular energy transduction. These results suggested that mitochondrial dysfunction induced by ISP is related to carnitine-dependent fatty acid metabolism and that TMHP reduces the myocardial injury.

Animals↗