Abstract

Cholestasis is a feature of many chronic human liver diseases. Previous studies pointed out an impairment of mitochondrial function as a cause of hepatocyte dysfunction leading to cholestatic liver injury. This study was aimed to evaluate liver mitochondrial bioenergetics of α-naphthylisothiocyanate-treated Wistar rats, an experimental model of cholestasis. Serum markers of liver injury and endogenous adenine nucleotides were measured. Changes in membrane potential, mitochondrial respiration, and alterations in mitochondrial permeability transition pore induction were monitored. In rats injected with α-naphthylisothiocyanate, liver injury with cholestasis developed within 48 h, as indicated by both serum enzyme activities and total bilirubin concentration. Liver mitochondria isolated from α-naphthylisothiocyanate-treated rats had a higher state 3 respiration, respiratory control ratio, ADP/O, and endogenous ATP/ADP ratio compared to controls. No change in state 4 respiration was observed. Associated with these parameters, cholestatic mitochondria exhibited an increased resistance to disruption of mitochondrial calcium homeostasis due to permeability transition pore induction. Hepatic mitochondria isolated from α-naphthylisothiocyanate-treated rats exhibited an improved efficiency. These data indicate that an adaptive response to resist cell death occurs during α-naphthylisothiocyanate-induced acute cholestasis.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.