The Action of Resveratrol on Mitochondria of Pea Seedlings under Stress Conditions. Data of Atomic Force Microscopy and Fluorometry

Abstract

The possibilities of using natural resveratrol polyphenol as an adaptogen were investigated by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and fluorometry. The study was carried out on mitochondria of pea seedlings (Pisum sativum L., Flora 2 variety). The protective properties of the drug were studied using models of mitochondrial “aging” and water deficiency. Incubation of isolated mitochondria in a hypotonic medium (the aging process) activated lipid peroxidation (POL): the fluorescence intensity of POL products increased compared to the control and led to an increase in the size of AFM images of mitochondria, which indicated swelling of the organelles. Resveratrol at a concentration of 10−6 M reduced the fluorescence intensity of lipid peroxidation products almost to control values, as well as preventing mitochondrial swelling. In vivo experiments were carried out in a water deficiency model. Pea seeds previously soaked in water or treated with resveratrol were subjected to water deficiency. Water-deficiency conditions caused an increase in lipid peroxidation of the mitochondrial membranes of pea seedlings, led to swelling of mitochondria and inhibition of the biogenesis of these organelles as compared to the control. Resveratrol treatment of pea seeds (3 × 10−4 M) reduced the number of swollen mitochondria in relation to the control, activated the biogenesis of these organelles, and normalized POL. It was hypothesized that the protective effect of the studied drug is due its antioxidant properties and AFM and fluorometry methods can be used to screen the protective properties of biologically active substances.