Mitochondrial bioenergetics and cardiolipin alterations in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury: implications for pharmacological cardioprotection.

Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a central role in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Increased reactive oxygen species production, impaired electron transport chain activity, aberrant mitochondrial dynamics, Ca overload, and opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore have been proposed as major contributory factors to mitochondrial dysfunction during myocardial I/R injury. Cardiolipin (CL), a mitochondria-specific phospholipid, plays a pivotal role in multiple mitochondrial bioenergetic processes, including respiration and energy conversion, in mitochondrial morphology and dynamics as well as in several steps of the apoptotic process.

Synergistic effect of Ca2+ and peroxidized cardiolipin in the induction of permeability transition and cytochrome c release in rat heart mitochondria.

The effect of peroxidized cardiolipin on the mitochondrial pore transition (MPT) induction and cytochrome c release in rat heart mitochondria was studied. Treatment of mitochondria with cardiolipin hydroperoxide (CLOOH) promoted matrix swelling and release of cytochrome c. Both these processes were inhibited by cyclosporine A and bongkrekic acid, indicating that peroxidized cardiolipin behaves as an inducer of MPT.

Interaction of peroxidized cardiolipin with rat-heart mitochondrial membranes: induction of permeability transition and cytochrome c release.

Cardiolipin peroxidation plays a critical role in mitochondrial cytochrome c release and subsequent apoptotic process. Mitochondrial pore transition (MPT) is considered as an important step in this process. In this work, the effect of peroxidized cardiolipin on MPT induction and cytochrome c release in rat heart mitochondria was investigated.

Decrease in mitochondrial complex I activity in ischemic/reperfused rat heart: involvement of reactive oxygen species and cardiolipin.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered an important factor in ischemia/reperfusion injury to cardiac myocytes. Mitochondrial respiration is an important source of ROS production and hence a potential contributor to cardiac reperfusion injury. In this study, we have examined the effect of ischemia and ischemia followed by reperfusion of rat hearts on various parameters related to mitochondrial function, such as complex I activity, oxygen consumption, ROS production, and cardiolipin content.

Reactive oxygen species affect mitochondrial electron transport complex I activity through oxidative cardiolipin damage.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on the activity of complex I and on the cardiolipin content in bovine heart submitochondrial particles (SMP). ROS were generated through the use of xanthine/xanthine oxidase (X/XO) system. Treatment of SMP with X/XO resulted in a large production of superoxide anion, detected by acetylated cytochrome c method, which was blocked by superoxide dismutase (SOD).