Potent Uncoupler Of Oxidative Phosphorylation Research Articles

Toxicity assessment of 2,4-D and MCPA herbicides in primary culture of fish hepatic cells

In this study, we used primary cultures of fish hepatic cells as a tool for evaluating the effects of environmental contamination. Primary hepatic cell cultures derived from the subtropical fish Metynnis roosevelti were exposed to different concentrations (0.275, 2.75 and 27.5 μg L−1) of the herbicides 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA). Cellular respiratory activity was evaluated by polarography using three substrates: 0.5 M glucose, 0.5 M succinate and 0.5 M α-ketoglutarate. Significant changes were observed in cellular oxygen consumption with 0.5 M α-ketoglutarate. Even at low concentrations, 2,4-D and MCPA were potent uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation. Primary cultures of M. roosevelti liver cells may provide a useful tool for the evaluation of environmental contaminant effects. A review of regulations regarding permitted concentrations of these herbicides is needed.

Uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation by glycyrrhetic acid, fusidic acid and some related triterpenoid acids.

Abstract Some new derivatives of 18α- and 18β-glycyrrhetic acid and oleanolic acid were tested for their ability to inhibit phosphorylation coupled to succinate oxidation in rat liver mitochondria. Glycyrrhetic acid is a potent uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation (approaching 2,4-dinitrophenol in potency); uncoupling activity is dependent upon each of the following functional groups: 3-hydroxy, 11-oxo and 30-carboxyl groups. Inversion of the configuration at C-18 (D/E ring junction) or replacement of the 11-oxo-12-ene system in ring C by the 9(11),12-diene system in glycyrrhetic acid abolished uncoupling activity. By contrast, the hemisuccinates (3-O-carboxypropionyl derivatives) of 18α-glycyrrhetic acid and of the 18β-9,12-diene acid were moderately potent uncoupling agents but less active than 18β-glycyrrhetic acid. The uncoupling activity of these hemisuccinates could not be attributed to the carboxypropionyl group alone. Structural analogues of various glycyrrhetic acid derivatives prepared from oleanolic acid (with the carboxyl group at C-28) were less active in uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation than the corresponding compounds in the glycyrrhetic acid series (with the carboxyl group at C-30). The uncoupling activity of some derivatives of two naturally occurring tetracyclic triterpenoid acids, polyporenic acid A and fusidic acid, was also investigated and found to largely depend upon their chemical structure. The possible application of these compounds as drugs in man is discussed.

Microarray Analysis Reveals a Mechanism of Phenolic Polybrominated Diphenylether Toxicity in Zebrafish

Polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) are ubiquitous in the environment, with the lower brominated congener 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenylether (BDE47) among the most prevalent. The phenolic PBDE, 6-hydroxy-BDE47 (6-OH-BDE47) is both an important metabolite formed by in vivo metabolism of BDE47 and a natural product produced by marine organisms such as algae. Although this compound has been detected in humans and wildlife, including fish, virtually nothing is known of its in vivo toxicity. Here we report that 6-OH-BDE47 is acutely toxic in developing and adult zebrafish at concentrations in the nanomolar (nM) range. To identify possible mechanisms of toxicity, we used microarray analysis as a diagnostic tool. Zebrafish embryonic fibroblast (PAC2) cells were exposed to 6-OH-BDE47, BDE47, and the methoxylated metabolite 6-MeO-BDE47. These experiments revealed that 6-OH-BDE47 alters the expression of genes involved in proton transport and carbohydrate metabolism. These findings, combined with the acute toxicity, suggested that 6-OH-BDE47 causes disruption of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS).Therefore, we further investigated the effect of 6-OH-BDE47 on OXPHOS in zebrafish mitochondria. Results show unequivocally that this compound is a potent uncoupler of OXPHOS and is an inhibitor of complex II of the electron transport chain. This study provides the first evidence of the in vivo toxicity and an important potential mechanism of toxicity of an environmentally relevant phenolic PBDE of both anthropogenic and natural origin. The results of this study emphasize the need for further investigation on the presence and toxicity of this class of polybrominated compounds.

Substituted α‐(phenylhydrazono)phenylacetonitrile derivatives. Part 1: A new class of uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation

Substituted alpha-(phenylhydrazono)phenylacetonitrile derivatives have been discovered which constitute a series of potent uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation. Systematic variation of substituents on both benzene rings has clearly demonstrated the importance of steric congestion around the ionisation site and delocalisation of negative charge in the anionic form. Replacement of the cyano group by other electron-withdrawing groups leads to a dramatic decrease in uncoupling activity. The sub-nanomolar levels of uncoupling activity found in certain members indicate that these compounds are the most potent uncouplers yet reported.

Different toxicological profile of two COMT inhibitors in vivo: the role of uncoupling effects.

The toxicity profiles of entacapone and tolcapone, novel catechol- O-methyl-transferase (COMT) inhibitors, have been reported to differ from each other. It has also been shown that tolcapone, but not entacapone, is a potent uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation in vitroat low micromolar concentrations. Signs of hepatotoxicity induced by tolcapone treatment have been previously reported in toxicological studies and in clinical use. The present study was designed to investigate the mechanism of hepatotoxicity of tolcapone and its possible relationship to uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation in vivo. A 15-day oral toxicity study with entacapone or tolcapone (300 and 500 mg/kg/day) was carried out, and 2, 4-dinitrophenol (DNP), a known uncoupling agent of oxidative phosphorylation, served as a positive reference substance (20 mg/kg/day). No treatment related findings were observed in entacapone-treated rats. Clinical chemistry parameters regarding hepatocellular damage were increased in tolcapone and DNP-treated animals. The energy status measured as ATP/ADP ratio from the liver samples and energy charge (EC) in liver cell mitochondria were diminished both in tolcapone- and in DNP-treated rats. These signs together with clinical symptoms consisting of increased respiration, decreased activity and drowsiness, and elevation of the rectal body temperature observed in tolcapone- and DNP-treated animals suggest a relationship between the treatment and uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation in vivo.

Structural determinants of fluorochemical-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.

Perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) are thought to induce peroxisome proliferation and interfere with mitochondrial metabolic pathways. Direct measurements revealed that PFOA and the unsubstituted sulfonamide of perfluorooctane (FOSA) uncouple mitochondrial respiration by increasing proton conductance. The purpose of this investigation was to characterize structural determinants responsible for the mitochondrial uncoupling effect of several structurally related fluorochemicals. Included in the study were PFOA, PFOS, FOSA, the N-acetate of FOSA (perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetate, FOSAA), N-ethylperfluorooctanesulfonamide (N-EtFOSA), and the N-ethyl alcohol [2-(N-ethylperfluorooctanesulfonamido)ethyl alcohol, N-EtFOSE] and N-acetic acid (N-ethylperfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetate, N-EtFOSAA) of N-EtFOSA. Each test compound was dissolved in ethanol and added directly to an incubation medium containing substrate-energized rat liver mitochondria. Mitochondrial respiration and membrane potential were measured concurrently using an oxygen electrode and a TPP+ -selective electrode, respectively. All of the compounds tested, at sufficiently high concentrations, had the capacity to interfere with mitochondrial respiration, albeit via different mechanisms and with varying potencies. At sufficiently high concentrations, the free acids PFOA and PFOS caused a slight increase in the intrinsic proton leak of the mitochondrial inner membrane, which resembled a surfactant-like change in membrane fluidity. Similar effects were observed with the sulfonamide N-EtFOSE. Another fully substituted sulfonamide, N-EtFOSAA, at high concentrations caused inhibition of respiration, the release of cytochrome c, and high-amplitude swelling of mitochondria. The swelling was prevented by cyclosporin A or by EGTA, indicating that this compound induced the mitochondrial permeability transition. The unsubstituted and mono-substituted amides FOSA, N-EtFOSA, and FOSAA all exerted a strong uncoupling effect on mitochondria resembling that of protonophoric uncouplers. Among these compounds, FOSA was a very potent uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation, with an IC50 of approximately 1 microM. These data suggest that the protonated nitrogen atom with a favorable pKa is essential for the uncoupling action of perfluorooctane sulfonamides in mitochondria, which may be critical to the mechanism by which these compounds interfere with mitochondrial metabolism to induce peroxisome proliferation in vivo.

Identification of a motor protein required for filamentous growth in Ustilago maydis.

The phytopathogenic fungus Ustilago maydis exists in two stages, the yeast-like haploid form and the filamentous dikaryon. Both pathogenicity and dimorphism are genetically controlled by two mating-type loci, with only the filamentous stage being pathogenic on corn. We have identified two genes (kin1 and kin2) encoding motor proteins of the kinesin family. Kin1 is most similar to the human CENP-E gene product, while Kin2 is most closely related to the conventional kinesin Nkin of Neurospora crassa. Deletion mutants of kin1 had no discernible phenotype; delta kin2 mutants, however, were severely affected in hyphal extension and pathogenicity. The wild-type dikaryon showed rapid tip growth, with all the cytoplasm being moved to the tip compartment. Left behind are septate cell wall tubes devoid of cytoplasm. In delta kin2 mutants, dikaryotic cells were formed after cell fusion, but these hyphal structures remained short and filled with cytoplasm. A functional green fluorescent protein (GFP)-Kin2 fusion was generated and used to determine the localization of the motor protein by fluorescence microscopy. Inspection of the hyphal tips by electron microscopy revealed a characteristic accumulation of darkly stained vesicles which was absent in mutant cells. We suggest that the motor protein Kin2 is involved in organizing this specialized growth zone at the hyphal tip, probably by affecting the vectorial transport of vesicles.

6-Ketocholestanol abolishes the effect of the most potent uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria

The effect of a keto-derivative of cholesterol, namely, 6-ketocholestanol (5α-cholestan-3β-ol-6-one; kCh) on the uncoupling of oxidation and phosphorylation by various uncouplers was studied in rat heart mitochondria. kCh was found to completely abolish the uncoupling effect (the increase in the respiration rate under the respiratory control conditions and the decrease in the membrane potential) caused of FCCP, CCCP and SF6847 and partially by TTFB at low concentrations of uncouplers. It was without effect on the uncoupling by PCP, DNP and palmitate. Carboxyatractylate, a specific inhibitor of the ADP/ATP-antiporter, was shown to almost completely abolish the uncoupling induced by palmitate and partially by low concentration of TTFB, PCP and DNP. Effects of high concentrations of all these uncouplers as well as of any concentrations of gramicidin proved to be kCh- and carboxyatractilate-insensitive. The data are discussed in terms of the hypothesis on the protein-mediated mechanism of the protonophorous uncoupling.

Turnover of 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylic Acid Synthase Protein in Wounded Tomato Fruit Tissue

Ethylene production in plant tissues declines rapidly following induction, and this decline is due to a rapid decrease in the activity of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase, a key enzyme in ethylene biosynthesis. To study the nature of the rapid turnover of ACC synthase in vivo, proteins in wounded ripening tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) fruit discs were radiolabeled with [(35)S]methionine, followed by a chase with nonradioactive methionine. Periodically, the radioactive ACC synthase was isolated with an immunoaffinity gel and analyzed. ACC synthase protein decayed rapidly in vivo with an apparent half-life of about 58 min. This value for protein turnover in vivo is similar to that previously reported for activity half-life in vivo and substrate-dependent enzyme inactivation in vitro. Carbonylcyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone and 2,4-dinitrophenol, potent uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation, strongly inhibited the rapid decay of ACC synthase protein in the tissue. Degradation of this enzyme protein was moderately inhibited by the administration of aminooxyacetic acid, a competitive inhibitor of ACC synthase with respect to its substrate S-adenosyl-l-methionine, alpha,alpha'-dipyridyl, and phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride or leupeptin, serine protease inhibitors. These results support the notion that the substrate S-adenosyl-l-methionine participates in the rapid inactivation of the enzyme in vivo and suggest that some ATP-dependent processes, such as the ubiquitin-requiring pathway, are involved in the degradation of ACC synthase proteins.

Uncoupling action of antibiotic sporaviridins with rat-liver mitochondria.

The effects of the glycoside antibiotic sporaviridins (SVDs) on oxidative phosphorylation of rat-liver mitochondria were examined. SVDs released state 4 respiration, dissipated transmembrane electrical potential, and accelerated ATPase activity. These facts demonstrated that SVDs are potent uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation. During the uncoupling caused by SVDs, large amplitude swelling and oxidation of intramitochondrial NAD(P)H occurred, suggesting that SVDs greatly enhanced nonspecific permeability of the inner mitochondrial membrane. It is suggested that the uncoupling action of SVDs might be caused by dissipation of proton electrochemical potential due to an increase in the permeability of inner mitochondrial membrane.

EFFECTS OF DEMETHYLCHLORTETRACYCLINE PHOTOTOXICITY ON THE STRUCTURE and FUNCTIONS OF RAT LIVER MITOCHONDRIA

The phototoxic effects of demethylchlortetracycline (DMCT) with UVA radiation on isolated rat liver mitochondria were studied. DMCT at concentration of 21.5 microM with 5.53 x 10(-2) J cm-3 of UVA was found to be a potent uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation. DMCT alone also uncoupled mitochondria but at higher concentrations (105 microM). ATPase activity was remarkably induced in mitochondria exposed to DMCT (21.5 microM) plus UVA (120% of DNP-stimulated ATPase activity). Content of ATP in such mitochondria when measured after addition of ADP was much smaller than that in control mitochondria. Ultrastructurally, mitochondria treated either with DMCT (21.5 microM) or with UVA alone stayed in the condensed configuration. On the other hand, uncoupled mitochondria treated with DMCT plus UVA became swollen and were changed into the orthodox configuration.

The toxicity and mechanism of action of bromethalin: A new single-feeding rodenticide

Bromethalin is a new rodenticide for the control of commensal rodents. Doses in excess of the LD50 (2 mg/kg in rats) will cause death within 8–12 hr and it is preceded by one to three episodes of clonic convulsions with death usually due to respiratory arrest. Multiple low doses or sublethal intoxication yields hind leg weakness and loss of tactile sensation in rodents. Histopathology of the brain and spinal cord of these animals revealed a spongy degeneration of the white matter which was shown upon ultramicroscopic examination to be intramyelenic edema. No inflammation or cellular destruction of neuronal tissue was noted. LD50 values ranged from 1.8 mg/kg in the cat to approximately 13 mg/kg in rabbits. The only apparent nonsusceptible species was the guinea pig which could tolerate doses in excess of 1000 mg/kg without effect. Identification of the desmethyl metabolite was demonstrated in the blood and liver of treated animals by comparison of chromatographic retention times to that of a reference standard, but direct mass spectral identification was unsuccessful in part due to the low dose which could be administered. There-fore, the metabolism of bromethalin was studied by indirect means. Animals were pretreated with three inducers of microsomal drug metabolism: phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC), and Aroclor 1254 (Aroclor) and one inhibitor, SKF-525A. Pretreated mice or rats were given an LD50 dose of bromethalin or the desmethyl analog and the percentage of surviving animals was determined. Phenobarbital and SKF-525A were protective when bromethalin was given, but SKF-525A increased lethality when the desmethyl analog was administered. Aroclor and 3MC both promoted lethality. It was concluded that SKF-525A could block the conversion of bromethalin to the desmethyl analog and beyond but each of the inducers promoted conversion of bromethalin to the desmethyl analog. Induction of subsequent pathways also must have occurred so that the net level of the desmethyl metabolite was higher than control when Aroclor and 3MC were given but lower than control when phenobarbital was given. Mechanistic studies showed that bromethalin is rapidly converted to the desmethyl analog which is an extremely potent uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation. It was theorized that if this occurs in the central nervous system, a fluid imbalance may ensue due to insufficient ATP. Fluid buildup in the cranium was determined by measuring cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP), brain and spinal cord moisture, and cation concentrations. These studies demonstrated that rats had mean CSFP of 251 ± 23 mm water 24 hr after being treated with 1 mg/kg bromethalin compared to a control value of 68 ± 5 mm water. Pressures could be reduced within 1 to 2 hr by infusion of an osmotic diuretic such as mannitol or urea; however, CSFP would rise again when the infusion was stopped. CSFP returned to normal values within 7 days after a single dose of 1 mg/kg bromethalin. Subcutaneous injections of dexamethasone hastened reduction of CSF pressure.

Kinetic analysis by the method of nonlinear least squares: A reaction involving consecutive steps

This paper describes the reaction of 2-metacaptoethanol with 3-chlorophenyl dinitrile, a potent uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation in cells.

Characterization of a Chinese hamster ovary cell line resistant to uncouplers.

The chemiosmotic theory of oxidative phosphorylation and the action of uncouplers was examined by characterizing a clone, UH5, of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO TK-) cells resistant to 5-chloro-3-tert-butyl-2'-chloro-4'-nitrosalicylanilide (S-13), a potent uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation. About 9-times and 4-times more S-13 was required to effect growth and respiration respectively of UH5 cells compared to the parental CHO TK- cells. UH5 cells were cross-resistant to the uncouplers SF-6847 (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-benzylidenemalononitrile), carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone and 2,4-dinitrophenol but not to oligomycin, venturicidin or Tevenel. Size, chromosome number and DNA content indicated that the UH5 cell line was probably pseudotetraploid compared to the parental pseudodiploid CHO TK- cells. Hybrid and cybrid cells formed from crosses of UH5 cells and cytoplasts, respectively, with an uncoupler-sensitive cell line were sensitive to S-13 indicating that resistance is probably nuclear-determined. UH5 cell mitochondria had increased cytochrome oxidase and decreased H+-ATPase activities. A fivefold resistance of oxidative phosphorylation to uncouplers was found at the mitochondrial level with respiration driven by either succinate or ascorbate/N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine. In contrast, no difference in sensitivity was found to valinomycin between mitochondria from UH5 and CHO TK- cells. The oligomycin-sensitive H+-ATPase activity of UH5 and CHO TK- cell mitochondria was equally stimulated by the uncoupler S-13. Uncoupler-resistant mitochondria would not be expected on the basis of the chemiosmotic theory, and the relation of the results to other modes of coupling is considered.

Restricted intramolecular rotation of the potent uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation of SF 6847 [(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylidene)malononitrile]: enhanced motional freedom of SF 6847 anion by formation of a 1:1:1 complex with valinomycin and potassium(+) ion

Restricted intramolecular rotation of the potent uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation of SF 6847 [(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylidene)malononitrile]: enhanced motional freedom of SF 6847 anion by formation of a 1:1:1 complex with valinomycin and potassium(+) ion

In vivo and in vitro effects of the mitochondrial uncoupler FCCP on microtubules.

FCCP (carbonylcyanide-p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone), a potent uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation, induces the complete disruption of cellular microtubules. A further analysis of this effect on BHK21 cells has shown that a decrease in the number of microtubules can be observed 15 min after adding FCCP and there is complete disruption after 60 min. Regrowth of microtubules was initiated 30 min after removal of FCCP, in marked contrast with the rapid reversion observed when microtubules are disrupted by nocodazole. A similar delay was required for the recovery of mitochondrial function as assessed by rhodamine 123 labelling. The effect of FCCP on microtubules was partially inhibited by preincubation of the cells with NaN3, suggesting that FCCP acts on microtubules through mitochondria. FCCP did not depolymerize microtubules of cells permeabilized with Triton X-100. In vitro polymerisation of microtubule protein was only slightly diminished by concentrations of FCCP which provoke complete disassembly in vivo. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis of the microtubules polymerized in vitro in the presence of FCCP showed a reduced amount of high mol. wt. proteins, mainly MAP 2, associated with them. In an attempt to reproduce the mitochondrial effects of FCCP in vitro, we checked the effects of alkaline pH and calcium on microtubule protein polymerization in the presence of FCCP. FCCP did not influence the calcium inhibitory effect but did significantly increase the inhibitory effect of alkaline pH. We conclude that FCCP could depolymerise microtubules in vivo through a dual operation: increasing the intracellular pH by the disruption of the mitochondrial H+ gradient and decreasing the stability of microtubules by impairing the binding of microtubule-associated proteins.

Dynamic Structure of the Potent Uncoupler SF 6847 (3,5-Di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylidenemalononitrile) and Its Derivatives

Abstract The steric and electronic structures of the most potent uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation known, SF 6847, and its derivatives were studied. 1H and 13C NMR measurements showed that the malononitrile moiety is not planar with the benzene ring and that its intramolecular motional freedom is reduced on acid dissociation of the phenolic proton. The activation energies of the tumbling motion of the malononitrile moiety in the anionic forms of SF 6847 and its derivatives were also determined from their 1H NMR measured at various temperatures. The CNDO/2 and ab initio MO calculations of the model compounds of SF 6847 showed that the planar form is quite unstable and that the malononitrile moiety is twisted considerably relative to the benzene ring. The effect of the dynamic structure on the acidity of SF 6847 was discussed based on the above results.

Physicochemical properties of SF 6847, a potent uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria in relation to its activity

AbstractThe steric and electronic structure of the most potent uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation, SF 6847, was studied. From 1H NMR measurements, it was found that the benzylic protons meta to the hydroxyl group are equivalent in neutral form, and that these protons tend to become non‐equivalent on acid dissociation of the phenolic proton. The CNDO/2 calculation of the dimethyl derivative of SF 6847 showed that in the most stable conformation the angle of the malononitrile group with respect to the benzene ring is about 40° and that the planar form is quite unstable. Results on electronic absorption of SF 6847 in various media showed that the acid dissociation of its phenolic group is affected very much by small changes in the nature of the surrounding environment. It was also found that the calculated total energy differences between the anionic and neutral forms are correlated well with the uncoupling activities of 4‐substituted 2,6‐di‐tert‐butylphenol derivatives.

Toxic action of 2′-chloro-2,4-dinitro-5′, 6-di(trifluoromethyl) diphenylamine in the rat

2′-Chloro-2,4-dinitro-5′,6-di(trifluoromethyl)diphenylamine (CDTD) is a potent uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation in isolated rat liver or brain mitochondria. The concentration of CDTD causing 50% uncoupling in vitro is dependent on the mitochondrial protein concentration and is 2 nM at 0.9 mg protein/ml for rat liver mitochondria. Oxidative phosphorylation can be restored to CDTD uncoupled liver mitochondria by the addition of a 10 000-fold molar excess of bovine serum albumin to CDTD. Rats given a lethal dose (7.0 μmol/kg) of CDTD intrapertioneally show signs of toxicity typical of uncoupling agents. Mitochondria isolated from the livers of these rats show almost complete inhibition of ATP synthesis and mitochondria obtained from the livers of rats at various times after a single oral dose show maximal inhibition of ATP synthesis 4 h after dosing with complete recovery by about 24 h. A single oral administration of 58 μmol/kg or above, but not intraperitoneal injection, of CDTD into rats produced an increase in the water content of the brain and spinal cord. The additional fluid has been shown to contain Na + ions. The increase in cerebral fluid is dose related, no effect being seen at 23 μmol/kg. This extra fluid is thought to be responsible for the hind limb weakness observed in these rats. These observations suggest that there are two facets to CDTD toxicity: early deaths (within 2 h), which appear to be due to uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation, and delayed deaths, 2–3 days after dosing which are probably related to an increase in fluid in the brain and spinal cord.

The role of lysophosphatides in cell injury

Septic shock, particularly that resulting from Escherichia coli endotoxemia, has been associated with vascular perfusion abnormalities but also has been associated with organ damage, in particular hepatic, renal, cardiac, and pulmonary dysfunction. These changes and the biochemical finding of uncoupled oxidative phosphorylation in isolated mitochondria have been reported to occur prior to the onset of vascular perfusion abnormalities. This conceivably could be accounted for on the basis of release of phospholipase A and increased fatty acids in that fatty acids are potent uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation. These experiments were done in vivo on rat liver and homogenates as well as extracted mitochondria and microsomes of rats 28 hr after treatment with an LD 70–90 dose of endotoxin. Experiments were also conducted with in vitro incubation of rat hepatic lysosomes for various times and various concentrations of endotoxin. The results of these experiments show no significant difference from control values of the various phospholipids analyzed subsequent to endotoxin treatment. It must be concluded on the basis of these experiments that the damage observed biochemically and by electron microscopy is related to some cause other than the membranolytic effect of lysophosphatides.