NG-硝基-L-精氨酸对大鼠局灶性缺血脑区线粒体损伤的影响

目的:观察非选择性一氧化氮合酶抑制剂NG-硝基-L-精氨酸(NG-nitro-L-arginine,L-NA)对局灶性脑缺血大鼠脑线粒体的损伤作用,以探讨其改善缺血性脑损伤的作用机制。方法:将大鼠随机分为假手术组、缺血对照组、L-NA治疗组,采用线栓法阻断大鼠大脑中动脉(MCAO)复制局灶性脑缺血模型,分别于缺血后2h、6h、12h给药治疗3d,迅速断头取脑,差速离心法提取缺血侧脑组织线粒休,迅速测定线粒体膜肿胀度及线粒体活力,测定线粒体总ATP酶、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性,以及线粒休一氧化氮(NO)、丙二醛(MDA)含量:电镜观察缺血后皮层神经元超微结构的改变及L-NA对其影响。结果:在大鼠MCAO后线粒体膜肿胀度增加,线粒体活力下降,线粒体NO、MDA含量明显增加,线粒体总ATP酶、SOD、GSH-Px活性均明显下降:缺血后2h、6h、12h给予L-NA治疗3d与缺血对照组相比NO含量明显下降,缺血后12h治疗组线粒体膜肿胀度、线粒体活力、总ATP酶、SOD、GSH-Px活性均显著升高、MDA含量下降。电镜结果显示脑缺血后皮层神经元水肿,线粒体肿胀、嵴断裂、溶解、消失,且随缺血时间延长损伤加重;缺血后12h给予L-NA治疗能明显改善脑缺血引起的神经元水肿、线粒体肿胀和空泡化。结论:L-NA能明显抑制脑缺血后线粒体NO生成,在缺血早期给予L-NA对缺血性脑损伤无改善作用:缺血后期给予L-NA,能明显降低线粒体膜肿胀程度,改善线粒体能量供应,增强线粒体抗氧化作用及其活力,从而减轻脑缺血损伤。     

三七总皂苷对脑缺血再灌注大鼠神经血管单元超微结构的影响

为了观察脑缺血再灌注(cerebral ischemia reperfusion, CIR)大鼠缺血灶周边脑组织不同时间点神经血管单元(neurovascular unit, NVU)超微结构变化,研究三七总皂苷(Panax notoginseng saponins, PNS)对脑缺血再灌注大鼠脑组织NVU超微结构的影响,本研究采用改良Zea Longa法制作局灶性大脑中动脉闭塞(MCAO)模型,缺血2 h后再灌注;采用Longa法评分标准检测各组大鼠术后4 h神经功能评分,随之各组进行干预,分别在缺血再灌注后24 h、72 h、7 d、3周进行神经功能评分和透射电镜下观察各组大鼠缺血灶周边脑组织的NVU超微结构变化。研究结果表明,干预前即术后4 h治疗组和对照组神经功能评分比较无明显差异;PNS干预后治疗组大鼠神经功能评分逐渐改善,缺血再灌注后24 h与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(p>0.05),再灌注72 h、7 d、3周的大鼠神经缺损评分与同时间点对照组相比差异具有统计学意义(p<0.05)。电镜观察发现再灌注24 h、72 h、7 d、3周治疗组大鼠脑组织NVU超微结构的病理形态损伤均较同时间点对照组明显减轻。本研究结论认为,PNS通过整合促进脑缺血后NVU的神经元、胶质细胞和微血管的修复,改善神经功能缺损症状,对脑缺血具有保护作用。     

运动性疲劳状态下大鼠骨骼肌线粒体氧化磷酸化功能的研究

目的和方法 :以SD大鼠递增负荷力竭性跑台运动为运动性疲劳模型 ,分别测定运动后即刻骨路肌线粒体 :①呼吸链复合体Ⅱ Ⅲ电子传递与质子泵出比值 (H /2e) ;②以琥珀酸 (S)为底物的呼吸控制 :态 3呼吸速率(R3 )、态 4呼及速率 (R4 )、呼吸控制比 (RCR)和磷 /氧比 (P/O) ;②H ATPase合成活力 ,探讨疲劳性运动中线粒体氧化磷酸化功能改变的机理。结果 :力竭性运动后以S为底物的线粒体R4升高 2 1.10 % (P <0 .0 5 ) ;呼吸链复合体Ⅱ Ⅲ的总、净H 2e分别降低 8.5 3和 19.5 1% (均P <0 .0 5 )。底物的RCR和P/O呈显著降低 (均P <0 .0 5 ) ,而底物的R3则有所增加 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,H ATPase合成活力降低 16.68% (P <0 .0 5 )。结论 :线粒体质子漏增加 ,呼吸链电子传递与质子泵出偶联程度下降 ,氧化磷酸化脱偶联导致无效氧耗增多 ,可能是运动性疲劳状态下线粒体氧利用率下降的重要机制。     

硝普钠对铝胁迫下黑麦和小麦根尖线粒体功能的影响

硝普钠（SNP）能够缓解铝对黑麦和小麦根伸长生长的抑制效应。铝降低黑麦和小麦的呼吸速率和P／O、OPR、R3、R4、RCR值以及线粒体膜H^＋-ATP酶、H^＋-PP酶、Na^＋-K^＋-ATP酶、Ca^2＋-ATP酶、Mg^2＋-ATP酶活性,而SNP则能提高铝胁迫下呼吸速率、P/O、OPR、R3、R4、RCR值和这些酶活性。说明铝胁迫导致黑麦和小麦根尖细胞线粒体呼吸功能受损,氧化磷酸化解耦联。黑麦受损程度较小麦低,具有较强耐铝能力。SNP作为一氧化氮（NO）的供体,推测NO可以有效减轻铝胁迫导致的小麦根尖线粒体呼吸功能障碍,从而能够缓解铝毒害。     

黑木耳多糖对急性脑缺血/再灌注损伤影响的研究

目的:观察黑木耳多糖(APP)对急性脑缺血大鼠的保护作用并探讨其相关机制。方法:成年雄性SD大鼠给予不同浓度的AAP灌胃20d,每天1次,腹腔注射银杏叶提取物(ginkgo biloba extract,EGb671)作为阳性对照,20d后实施右侧大脑中动脉栓塞(MCAO)建立局灶性脑缺血模型。MCAO60min后复灌,复灌24h后进行Longa神经功能损伤评分,并用2,3,5-氯化三苯基四氮唑(TTC)染色法测定脑梗死面积。复灌48h后用TUNEL免疫组化检测神经元凋亡,测定脑组织线粒体内活性氧簇(ROS)的生成量判断氧化应激水平。结果:黑木耳多糖能降低神经功能损伤评分,减小脑梗死面积,减少神经元凋亡,并且能够使缺血复灌脑组织线粒体ROS生成显著减少。高剂量AAP组的凋亡神经元数量、ROS生成量和阳性对照组相比有显著性差异。结论:黑木耳多糖能够对抗大鼠的局灶性脑缺血损伤,其保护作用和减轻氧化应激水平有关,并优于银杏叶提取物。     

UCF-101对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注后JNK和ERK活性的影响

目的:探讨UCF-101对局灶性脑缺血再灌注大鼠脑内c-Jun氨基末端激酶(JNK)和胞外信号调节酶(ERK)活性的影响,进一步探讨UCF-101对局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤脑保护作用的机制。方法:采用大脑中动脉线栓法(MCAO)建立大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注模型,随机分为假手术组,缺血再灌注组,UCF组,应用TTC检测大鼠脑梗死体积,TUNEL法检测神经元凋亡,Western blot检测ERK和JNK的活性。结果:UCF-101可下调脑缺血再灌注大鼠脑组织JNK蛋白的活性,上调ERK蛋白的活性,并降低梗死体积、坏死和凋亡细胞数。结论:UCF-101对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤有保护作用,抑制JNK凋亡通路、促进ERK生存通路,从而减轻细胞凋亡是其脑保护机制之一。     

大鼠局灶性脑缺血后磷酸化的细胞周期相关蛋白的表达

目的探讨细胞周期对于大鼠局灶性脑缺血后神经元的影响。方法采用MCAO方法制作大鼠局灶性脑缺血模型,应用免疫荧光技术观察缺血后1d、3d、7d、14d大鼠缺血侧病灶周围神经元中磷酸化细胞周期蛋白CDK2、CDC2及磷酸化Rb的表达。结果与正常对照组相比,缺血后1d、3d组磷酸化CDK2和磷酸化Rb的表达量明显增加（P〈0．05）。缺血后7d、14d组磷酸化CDK2和磷酸化Rb的表达量无增加。磷酸化CDC2在正常组及缺血组均无明显表达。结论大鼠局灶性脑缺血后早期部分神经元再次进入细胞周期,提示细胞周期调控参与了大鼠局灶性脑缺血后神经元的凋亡。     

三七总皂苷对大鼠脑缺血再灌注后脑内NGF和bFGF表达的影响

目的:观察三七总皂苷(PNS)对局灶性脑缺血再灌注后脑组织神经生长因子(NGF)、碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(bFGF)蛋白表达的影响.方法:采用线栓法建立大鼠大脑中动脉栓塞局灶性脑缺血再灌注模型.实验动物随机分为假手术组、脑缺血再灌注模型组、模型 PNS治疗组和模型 尼莫地平治疗组.用免疫组织化学方法检测脑内皮质、海马等区域NGF和bFGF蛋白表达.结果:缺血2h再灌注46h后,脑内海马和皮质区的NGF表达降低,PNS能显著上调海马、皮质区及丘脑区域NGF的表达.缺血2h再灌注46h后,bFGF的表达各脑区无明显差异;但PNS能显著上调缺血再灌注损伤后胼胝体区域内bFGF的表达.结论:局灶性脑缺血再灌注后,PNS能上调缺血脑组织内NGF和bFGF表达,尤其是促进了NGF的表达,这可能是PNS对脑缺血后损伤神经元的保护机制之一.     

大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤中iNOS在大脑皮层和海马的表达

目的研究局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤中iNOS在不同脑区的表达.方法用改良的血管内栓线技术制造大鼠局灶性脑缺血与再灌注模型,应用免疫组织化学技术检测脑组织中的iNOS的表达.结果 (1)脑缺血再灌注损伤24h后,缺血组缺血侧大脑皮层、海马CA1区、CA3区神经元iNOS的表达显著增强,与正常对照组比较有显著性差异(P<0.05);(2)脑缺血再灌注损伤24h后,缺血组对照侧大脑皮层、海马CA1区、CA3区神经元iNOS的表达也明显增强,与正常对照组比较有显著性差异(P<0.05);(3) 与对照侧比较,脑缺血再灌注大鼠缺血侧皮质的iNOS表达显著增强(P<0.05),而海马CA1区、CA3区缺血侧的iNOS表达与对照侧相比无显著性差异(P>0.05).结论局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤后,缺血侧皮层和海马iNOS表达显著升高,未缺血脑区(对照侧)iNOS反应性也较对照组者升高.     

何首乌提取物减轻大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤和上调脑内UCP4蛋白水平

目的研究何首乌提取物对脑缺血再灌注损伤UCP4的影响,初步探讨其可能的作用机制。方法健康雄性SD大鼠采用线栓法复制局灶性脑缺血(MCAO)再灌注损伤模型,缺血2h后再灌注6h或24h,部分缺血再灌注模型大鼠分别灌胃不同浓度何首乌口服液。免疫组织化学染色和Western blot检测脑内UCP4表达,TTC染色检测脑梗死面积。结果在脑缺血再灌注6h后损伤,UCP4蛋白在海马内表达增高,再灌注24h后表达降低;何首乌提取物能浓度依赖性减少脑缺血再灌注损伤的脑梗死面积和上调UCP4表达。结论何首乌提取物能明显改善大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤,其机制可能与脑内线粒体蛋白UCP4表达升高,保护神经元有关。     

线粒体呼吸功能与精子活力、核DNA损伤的相关性分析

为探讨线粒体呼吸功能与精子活力、核DNA损伤程度之间的相关性,按WHO标准收集34例不同活力的精液标本,采用蔗糖差速离心法或密度梯度离心法提取精子线粒体,通过铂氧电极-溶氧仪测定线粒体呼吸耗氧率并计算状态III呼吸、状态IV呼吸、呼吸控制率（RCR）、磷氧比（P／0）及氧化磷酸化效率（0PR）;应用精子染色质扩散（sperm chromatin dispersion,SCD）实验检测精子DNA损伤情况。结果表明：不同活力精子线粒体状态Ⅲ呼吸耗氧量之间具有显著差异俨〈0．01）;弱精子症组RcR和OPR与正常对照组比较,分别降低了17．03％（P〈0．05）和40．74％（P〈0。01）;精子DNA损伤程度与精子活力、状态III呼吸及OPR均呈极显著负相关（r值分别是-0．812、-0．788和-0．696）。以上结果提示：精子线粒体呼吸耗氧和氧化磷酸化功能与精子活力之间存在着密切的联系;精子DNA（包括mtDNA）损伤可能影响精子的正常功能。     

颈髓损伤后线粒体系列酶活性变化与线粒体功能的关系

为了探讨颈髓损伤后颈髓线粒体系列酶活性变化与线粒体功能的关系,采用Ａｌｅｎ法造成猫颈髓损伤,观察颈髓损伤后线粒体Ｃａ２＋,Ｍｇ２＋－ＡＴＰ酶、Ｎａ＋,Ｋ＋－ＡＴＰ酶、超氧化物歧化酶（ＳＯＤ）活性及线粒体呼吸功能的变化。结果显示：颈髓损伤后２ｈ至７２ｈ,Ｃａ２＋,Ｍｇ２＋－ＡＴＰ酶、Ｎａ＋,Ｋ＋－ＡＴＰ酶活性、ＳＯＤ活性明显降低,而线粒体呼吸控制率（ＲＣＲ）、磷氧比值（Ｐ／Ｏ）、氧化磷酸化效率（ＯＰＲ）也明显下降。表明颈髓损伤后Ｃａ２＋,Ｍｇ２＋－ＡＴＰ酶、Ｎａ＋,Ｋ＋－ＡＴＰ酶、ＳＯＤ活性与线粒体功能密切相关,提示颈髓线粒体的病理生理改变在颈髓损伤后继发性损害过程中起重要作用。     

川芎嗪联用L-精氨酸对缺血/再灌注损伤兔心肌线粒体功能的影响

探讨川芎嗪联用L-精氨酸对心肌缺血／再灌注损伤（MI／RI）时心肌细胞线粒体功能的影响。方法：选用日本大耳白兔50只,随机分为正常对照组（A组）、心肌缺血／再灌注组（B组）、心肌缺血／再灌注＋川芎嗪治疗组（C组）、心肌缺血／再灌注＋L-精氨酸治疗组（D组）和心肌缺血／再灌注＋川芎嗪＋L-精氨酸治疗组（E组）。观察心肌线粒体呼吸功能、Ca^2＋浓度（[Ca^2＋]m）、丙二醛浓度（MDA）、超氧化物歧化酶活性（SOD）和心肌组织三磷酸腺苷（ATP）、能荷（EC）的变化。结果：C、D、E组与B组比较,线粒体呼吸控制率（RCR）、Ⅲ态呼吸速率（ST3）、SOD明显升高,Ⅳ态呼吸速率（ST4）、[Ca^2＋]m、MDA显著降低,心肌组织ATP、EC均明显增高;且与A组比较,E组上述指标均无明显差异。结论：川芎嗪联用L-精氨酸可通过降低氧自由基水平和减轻钙超载,而改善缺血／再灌注损伤心肌的线粒体功能。     

热休克蛋白A5介导的自噬在小鼠脑缺血/再灌注损伤中的作用

目的：探讨热休克蛋白A5（HSPA5）诱导的自噬在小鼠脑缺血/再灌注损伤中的作用。方法：将36只BALB/c小鼠随机分为sham、缺血再灌注（I/R）、vehicle + I/R、3-甲基腺嘌呤（3-MA） + I/R、scramble siRNA + I/R和HSPA5 siRNA + I/R组（n=6）。Sham组只进行手术操作,不插入线栓。I/R采用大脑中动脉阻塞（MCAO）60 min后再灌注24 h。Vehicle + I/R组和3-MA + I/R将5μl 0.9% NaCl或3-MA （30 mg/ml）在MCAO前30 min侧脑室注射。scramble siRNA + I/R组和HSPA5 siRNA + I/R组将5μl scramble siRNA或HSPA5 siRNA （2μg/μl）在MCAO前24 h侧脑室注射。检测神经细胞内自噬体、缺血大脑皮层（LC3）-Ⅱ/LC3-I表达、神经元损伤程度及神经功能缺损。结果：显微镜下sham组小鼠大脑皮层神经细胞形态正常;I/R组小鼠缺血大脑皮层神经元胞质中细胞器减少,自噬体形成。与sham组比较,I/R组缺血大脑皮层LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-I蛋白表达水平显著增高（P < 0.05）;与I/R组相比,3-MA + I/R组或HSPA5 siRNA + I/R组缺血大脑皮层LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-I蛋白表达明显减少（P < 0.05）;3-MA + I/R组及HSPA5 siR-NA + I/R组I/R后脑缺血性损伤及神经系统症状加重（P < 0.05）。结论：HSPA5诱导自噬可能在小鼠局灶性I/R损伤中发挥保护作用。     

Attenuation of mitochondrial injury by L-arginine preconditioning of the liver

The present study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of L-arginine on mitochondrial function in ischemic and reperfusion (I/R) induced hepatic injury. Adult Wistar rat were subjected to 1 h of partial liver ischemia followed by 3 hour reperfusion. Eighteen wistar rats were divided into three groups viz. sham-operated control group (I) (n = 6), ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) group (II) (n = 6), L-arginine treated group (100 mg/kg body weight/daily by oral route for 7 days before induced ischemia reperfusion maneuver) (III) (n = 6). Mitochondrial injury was assessed in terms of decreased (P < 0.05) activities of mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes (GSH, SOD, CAT), respiratory marker enzymes (NADH dehydrogenase, cytochrome c oxidases) and hepatocytes nitric oxide production. Pre-treatment with L-arginine (10 mg/kg/p.o. for 7 days) significantly counteracted the alternations of hepatic enzymes and mitochondrial respiratory and antioxidant enzymes. In addition, electron microscopy and histopathology study showed the restoration of cellular normalcy and accredits the cytoprotective role of L-arginine against I/R induced hepatocellular injury. On the basis of these findings it may be concluded that L-arginine protects mitochondrial function in hepatic ischemic and reperfused liver.     

Effect of Ischemic Preconditioning on Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Mitochondrial P53 Translocation after Transient Global Cerebral Ischemia in Rats

Transient global brain ischemia induces dysfunctions of mitochondria including disturbance in mitochondrial protein synthesis and inhibition of respiratory chain complexes. Due to capacity of mitochondria to release apoptogenic proteins, ischemia-induced mitochondrial dysfunction is considered to be a key event coupling cerebral blood flow arrest to neuronal cell death. Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) represents an important phenomenon of adaptation of central nervous system (CNS) to sub-lethal short-term ischemia, which results in increased tolerance of CNS to the lethal ischemia. In this study we have determined the effect of ischemic preconditioning on ischemia/reperfusion-associated inhibition of mitochondrial protein synthesis and activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I and IV in the hippocampus of rats. Global brain ischemia was induced by 4-vessel occlusion in duration of 15 min. Rats were preconditioned by 5 min of sub-lethal ischemia and 2 days later, 15 min of lethal ischemia was induced. Our results showed that IPC affects ischemia-induced dysfunction of hippocampal mitochondria in two different ways. Repression of mitochondrial translation induced during reperfusion of the ischemic brain is significantly attenuated by IPC. Slight protective effect of IPC was documented for complex IV, but not for complex I. Despite this, protective effect of IPC on ischemia/reperfusion-associated changes in integrity of mitochondrial membrane and membrane proteins were observed. Since IPC exhibited also inhibitory effect on translocation of p53 to mitochondria, our results indicate that IPC affects downstream processes connecting mitochondrial dysfunction to neuronal cell death.     

急性脑缺血诱导的Sirt3蛋白表达下调通过破坏线粒体功能导致神经元损伤

本文旨在观察急性脑缺血对神经元沉默信息调节因子2相关酶类3(silent mating type information regulator 2 homolog 3,Sirt3)蛋白表达水平的影响,并阐明Sirt3在急性脑缺血中的病理意义。建立小鼠大脑中动脉栓塞(middlecerebralartery occlusion,MCAO)和Wistar大鼠原代培养海马神经元氧糖剥夺(oxygen glucose deprivation,OGD)模型,用Western blot检测Sirt3蛋白表达水平,用携带Sirt3的慢病毒感染海马神经元后,用CCK8试剂盒检测细胞存活率,用免疫荧光染色法检测海马神经元线粒体功能,用透射电子显微镜检测线粒体自噬情况。结果显示,与常氧组相比,OGD1 h/复氧2 h(R2 h)和OGD1 h/R12 h组海马神经元Sirt3蛋白表达水平均显著下调;与对侧正常脑组织相比,MCAO1 h/再灌注24 h(R24 h)和MCAO1 h/R72 h组小鼠大脑损伤侧半影区Sirt3蛋白表达水平均显著下调,而假手术组两侧Sirt3蛋白表达水平之间无显著差异。OGD1 h/R12 h处理损伤海马神经元线粒体功能,激活线粒体自噬,降低细胞存活率,而Sirt3过表达可减轻OGD1 h/R12 h对海马神经元的上述损伤作用。以上结果提示,急性脑缺血后Sirt3蛋白表达下调可通过破坏线粒体功能稳态影响神经元存活,纠正Sirt3蛋白可减轻急性脑缺血造成的损伤,这可为防治缺血性脑卒中提供新思路。     

miR-21对缺血/再灌注后血脑屏障保护作用

目的:研究miR-21在脑缺血/再灌注(cerebral ischemia-reperfusion,I/R)损伤过程中对血脑屏障(Blood Brain Barrier)的保护作用。方法:采用线栓法构建SD大鼠脑缺血/再灌注模型。实验随机分为空白质粒组,miR-2l-mimic组和miR-21 inhibitor组。利用Western Blot检测大鼠大脑皮层组织中Bax蛋白的表达变化,透射电镜观察大鼠大脑皮层组织中细胞形态和血脑屏障的完整性,免疫荧光检测大脑皮层组织中自噬相关蛋白LC-3的分布情况。结果:Western Blot实验结果显示:与空白质粒相比,给予miR-2l-mimic的大鼠脑组织中Bax蛋白的表达显著降低,而给予miR-21 inhibitor的大鼠脑组织中Bax蛋白的表达升高;透射电镜结果显示:与空白质粒组相比较,miR-2l-mimic组中内皮细胞周围星形胶质细胞的板层突基本完整,而miR-21 inhibitor组中明显可见自噬小体、溶酶体,并有吞噬物存在;免疫荧光结果显示:与空白质粒组比较,miR-21-mimic组中自噬相关蛋白LC-3表达降低,而miR-21 inhibitor组中LC3蛋白的分布增加。结论:miR-2l可能通过下调Bax蛋白的表达抑制凋亡或通过抑制自噬保护血脑屏障。     

Heterogeneity of plant mitochondrial responses underpinning respiratory acclimation to the cold in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves

In this study, we investigated whether changes in mitochondrial abundance, ultrastructure and activity are involved in the respiratory cold acclimation response in leaves of the cold-hardy plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Confocal microscopy [using plants with green fluorescence protein (GFP) targeted to the mitochondria] and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to visualize changes in mitochondrial morphology, abundance and ultrastructure. Measurements of respiratory flux in isolated mitochondria and intact leaf tissue were also made. Warm-grown (WG, 25/ 20 degrees C day/night), 3-week cold-treated (CT) and cold-developed (CD) leaves were sampled. Although CT leaves exhibited some evidence of acclimation (as evidenced by higher rates of respiration at moderate measurement temperatures), it was only the CD leaves that were able to re-establish respiratory flux within the cold. Associated with the recovery of respiratory flux in the CD leaves were: (1) an increase in the total volume of mitochondria per unit volume of tissue in epidermal cells; (2) an increase in the ratio of cristae to matrix within mesophyll cell mitochondria; and (3) an increase in the capacity of the energy-producing cytochrome pathway in mitochondria isolated from whole leaf homogenates. Regardless of growth temperature, we found that contrasting cell types exhibited distinct differences in mitochondrial ultrastructure, morphology and abundance. Collectively, our data demonstrated the diversity and tissue-specific nature of mitochondrial responses that underpin respiratory acclimation to the cold, and revealed the heterogeneity of mitochondrial structure and abundance that exists within leaves.     

Hyperglycemic Damage to Mitochondrial Membranes During Cerebral Ischemia: Amelioration by Platelet-Activating Factor Antagonist BN 50739

Abstract: The Pulsinelli-Brierley four-vessel occlusion model was used to study the consequences of hyperglycemic ischemia and reperfusion. Rats were subjected to either 30 min of normo- or hyperglycemic ischemia or 30 min of normo- or hyperglycemic ischemia followed by 60 min of reperfusion. In some animals, 2 mg/kg BN 50739, a platelet-activating factor receptor antagonist, was administered intraarterially either before or after the ischemic insult. The changes in mitochondrial membrane free fatty acid levels, phosphatidylcholine fatty acyl composition, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive material (TBAR) content plus the mitochondrial respiratory control ratio (RCR) were monitored. When the platelet-activating factor antagonist was present during normoglycemia, (a) the mitochondrial free fatty acid release both during and after ischemia was slowed, (b) reacylation of phosphatidylcholine following ischemia was promoted, and (c) TBAR accumulation during and following ischemia was decreased. The detrimental effects of hyperglycemia were muted when BN 50739 was present during ischemia. The RCR was preserved and phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis during ischemia was decreased. TBAR levels were consistently higher in hyperglycemic brain mitochondria both during and after ischemia. The RCR correlated directly with mitochondrial phosphatidylcholine polyunsaturated fatty acid content during ischemia and reperfusion. BN 50739 protection of mitochondrial membranes in brain may be influenced by tissue pH.