Mechanism of clofibrate hepatotoxicity: mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress in hepatocytes

Peroxisome proliferators have been found to induce hepatocarcinogenesis in rodents, and may cause mitochondrial damage. Consistent with this, clofibrate increased hepatic mitochondrial oxidative DNA and protein damage in mice. The present investigation aimed to study the mechanism by which this might occur by examining the effect of clofibrate on freshly isolated mouse liver mitochondria and a cultured hepatocyte cell line, AML-12. Mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta Psi(m)) was determined by using the fluorescent dye 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1', 3,3'-tetraethyl-benzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide (JC-1) and tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester (TMRM). Application of clofibrate at concentrations greater than 0.3 mM rapidly collapsed the Delta Psi(m) both in liver cells and in isolated mitochondria. The loss of Delta Psi(m) occurred prior to cell death and appeared to involve the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), as revealed by calcein fluorescence studies and the protective effect of cyclosporin A (CsA) on the decrease in Delta Psi(m). Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured with the fluorescent probes 5-(and-6)-carboxy-2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) and dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR123). Treatment of the hepatocytes with clofibrate caused a significant increase in intracellular and mitochondrial ROS. Antioxidants such as vitamin C, deferoxamine, and catalase were able to protect the cells against the clofibrate-induced loss of viability, as was CsA, but to a lesser extent. These results suggest that one action of clofibrate might be to impair mitochondrial function, so stimulating formation of ROS, which eventually contribute to cell death.     

Curcuminoids modulates oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetic rat brain

Diabetes exacerbates neuronal injury induced by hyperglycemia mediated oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of curcuminoids, polyphenols of Curcuma longa (L.) on oxidative stress and mitochondrial impairment in the brain of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. A marked increase in lipid peroxidation and nitrite levels with simultaneous decrease in endogenous antioxidant marker enzymes was observed in the diabetic rat brain, which was restored to normal levels on curcuminoids treatment. Down-regulation of mitochondrial complex I and IV activity caused by STZ induction was also up-regulated on oral administration of curcuminoids. Moreover, curcuminoids administration profoundly elevated the ATP level, which was earlier reduced in the diabetic brain. These results suggest that curcuminoids exhibit a protective effect by accelerating antioxidant defense mechanisms and attenuating mitochondrial dysfunction in the brain of diabetic rats. Curcuminoids thus may be used as a promising therapeutic agent in preventing and/or delaying the progression of diabetic complications in the brain.     

Enterocyte mitochondrial dysfunction due to oxidative stress

The endogenous production of H2O2 in isolated rat intestinal mitochondria and oxidant induced damage to mitochondria were examined. There was an appreciable amount of H2O2 production in presence of succinate, glutamate and pyruvate, while the presence of rotenone with succinate further increased production. Superoxide generated by the X-XO system induced membrane permeability transition (MPT), calcium influx, lipid peroxidation and changes in membrane fluidity in mitochondria. A decreased mitochondrial ATPase activity and uncoupling of respiration was also observed. Spermine inhibited swelling induced by X-XO and also blocked the calcium influx and reversed the membrane fluidity changes.     

A mutation in a mitochondrial ABC transporter results in mitochondrial dysfunction through oxidative damage of mitochondrial DNA

We have isolated a Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant that shows an increased tendency to form cytoplasmic petites (respiration-deficient ρ⁻ or ρ⁰ mutants) in response to treatment of cells growing on a solid medium with the DNA-damaging agent methyl methanesulfonate or ultraviolet light. The mutation in this strain, atm1-1, was found to cause a single amino acid substitution in ATM1, a nuclear gene that encodes the mitochondrial ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter. When the mutant cells were grown in liquid glucose medium, they accumulated free iron within the mitochondria and at the same time gave rise to spontaneous cytoplasmic petite mutants, as seen previously in cells carrying a mutation in a gene homologous to the human gene responsible for Friedreich's ataxia. Analysis of the effects of free iron and malonic acid (an inhibitor of oxidative respiration in mitochondria) on the incidence of petites among the mutant cells indicated that spontaneous induction of petites was a consequence of oxidative stress rather than a direct effect of either a defect in the ATM1 gene or the accumulation of free iron. We observed an increase in the incidence of strand breaks in the mitochondrial DNA of the atm1-1 mutant cells. Furthermore, we found that rates of induction of petites and accumulation of strand breaks in mitochondrial DNA were enhanced in the atm1-1 mutant by the introduction of another mutation, mhr1-1, which results in a deficiency in mitochondrial DNA repair. These observations indicate that spontaneous induction of petites in the atm1-1 mutant is a consequence of oxidative damage to mitochondrial DNA mediated by enhanced accumulation of mitochondrial iron. Received: 26 March 1999 / Accepted: 29 June 1999     

Cu-induced mitochondrial dysfunction is mediated by abnormal mitochondrial fission through oxidative stress in primary chicken embryo hepatocytes

BackgroundExcess copper (Cu) is an oxidative stress factor which associates with a variety of diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Cu in primary chicken embryo hepatocytes (CEHs).MethodsCEHs were isolated from 13 days old chicken embryos and followed by different concentration Cu (0, 10, 100, 200 μM) and/or ALC treatment (0.3 mg/mL) for 12 or 24 h. The effects of Cu exposure in CEHs were determined by detecting reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and ATP levels. The expression of mitochondrial dynamics-related genes and proteins were also detected.ResultsResults showed that Cu treatment (100 or 200 μM) significantly decreased CEHs viability, MMP and ATP levels, increased ROS and MDA levels in 12 or 24 h. The up-regulated mitochondrial fission genes and protein in 100 and 200 μM Cu groups suggested Cu promoted mitochondrial division but not fusion. However, the co-treatment of ALC and Cu alleviated those changes compared with the 100 or 200 μM Cu groups.ConclusionIn conclusion, we speculated that Cu increased the oxidative stress and induced mitochondria dysfunction via disturbing mitochondrial dynamic balance in CEHs, and this process was not completely reversible.     

Mitochondrial dysfunction due to oxidative mitochondrial DNA damage is reduced through cooperative actions of diverse proteins

The mitochondrial genome is a significant target of exogenous and endogenous genotoxic agents; however, the determinants that govern this susceptibility and the pathways available to resist mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage are not well characterized. Here we report that oxidative mtDNA damage is elevated in strains lacking Ntg1p, providing the first direct functional evidence that this mitochondrion-localized, base excision repair enzyme functions to protect mtDNA. However, ntg1 null strains did not exhibit a mitochondrial respiration-deficient (petite) phenotype, suggesting that mtDNA damage is negotiated by the cooperative actions of multiple damage resistance pathways. Null mutations in ABF2 or PIF1, two genes implicated in mtDNA maintenance and recombination, exhibit a synthetic-petite phenotype in combination with ntg1 null mutations that is accompanied by enhanced mtDNA point mutagenesis in the corresponding double-mutant strains. This phenotype was partially rescued by malonic acid, indicating that reactive oxygen species generated by the electron transport chain contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction in abf2 Delta strains. In contrast, when two other genes involved in mtDNA recombination, CCE1 and NUC1, were inactivated a strong synthetic-petite phenotype was not observed, suggesting that the effects mediated by Abf2p and Pif1p are due to novel activities of these proteins other than recombination. These results document the existence of recombination-independent mechanisms in addition to base excision repair to cope with oxidative mtDNA damage in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Such systems are likely relevant to those operating in human cells where mtDNA recombination is less prevalent, validating yeast as a model system in which to study these important issues.     

Phorate triggers oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction to enhance micronuclei generation and DNA damage in human lymphocytes

Herein, we studied phorate for its toxicological effects in human lymphocytes. Phorate treatment for 3 h has induced significant increase in the lymphocytic DNA damage. Compared to control, comet data from highest concentration of phorate (1000 µM) showed 8.03-fold increase in the Olive tail moment (OTM). Cytokinesis blocked micronucleus (CBMN) assay revealed 6.4-fold increase in binucleated micronucleated (BNMN) cells following the exposure with phorate (200 µM) for 24 h. The nuclear division index (NDI) in phorate (200 µM) treated cells reduced to 1.8 vis-à-vis control cells showed NDI of 1.94. Comparative to untreated control, 60.43% greater DCF fluorescence was quantitated in lymphocytes treated with phorate (500 µM), affirming reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and oxidative stress. Flow cytometric data of phorate (200 µM) treated lymphocytes showed 81.77% decline in the fluorescence of rhodamine 123 (Rh123) dye, confirming the perturbation of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). Calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) treated with phorate (1000 µM) exhibited 2.3-fold higher 8-Hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) DNA adduct formation, signified the oxidative DNA damage. The alkaline unwinding assay revealed 4.0 and 6.5 ct-DNA strand breaks when treated to phorate and phorate-Cu (II) complex. Overall, the data unequivocally suggests the cyto- and genotoxic potential of phorate in human lymphocytes, which may induce comparable toxicological consequences in persons occupationally or non-occupationally exposed to insecticide phorate.     

Chronically ischemic mouse skeletal muscle exhibits myopathy in association with mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage

A myopathy characterized by mitochondrial pathology and oxidative stress is present in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Patients with PAD differ in disease severity, mode of presentation, and presence of comorbid conditions. In this study, we used a mouse model of hindlimb ischemia to isolate and directly investigate the effects of chronic inflow arterial occlusion on skeletal muscle microanatomy, mitochondrial function and expression, and oxidative stress. Hindlimb ischemia was induced by staged ligation/division of the common femoral and iliac arteries in C57BL/6 mice, and muscles were harvested 12 wk later. Muscle microanatomy was examined by bright-field microscopy, and mitochondrial content was determined as citrate synthase activity in muscle homogenates and ATP synthase expression by fluorescence microscopy. Electron transport chain (ETC) complexes I through IV were analyzed individually by respirometry. Oxidative stress was assessed as total protein carbonyls and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) adducts and altered expression and activity of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). Ischemic muscle exhibited histological features of myopathy and increased mitochondrial content compared with control muscle. Complex-dependent respiration was significantly reduced for ETC complexes I, III, and IV in ischemic muscle. Protein carbonyls, HNE adducts, and MnSOD expression were significantly increased in ischemic muscle. MnSOD activity was not significantly changed, suggesting MnSOD inactivation. Using a mouse model, we have demonstrated for the first time that inflow arterial occlusion alone, i.e., in the absence of other comorbid conditions, causes myopathy with mitochondrial dysfunction and increased oxidative stress, recapitulating the muscle pathology of PAD patients.     

Increased mitochondrial oxidative damage and oxidative DNA damage contributes to the neurodegenerative process in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

To investigate the possibility that mitochondrial oxidative damage or oxidative DNA damage or both contribute to the neurodegenerative process of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS), this study used high-performance liquid chromatography with an electrochemical detector to measure the concentrations of the reduced and oxidized forms of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 17 patients with sALS and 17 age-matched controls with no neurological diseases. The percentage of oxidized CoQ10 in the CSF of sALS patients was greater than that in the CSF of controls (p<0.002) and was negatively correlated with the duration of illness (rho=-0.61, p<0.01). The concentration of 8-OHdG in the CSF of sALS patients was greater than that in the CSF of controls (p<0.005) and was positively correlated with the duration of illness (rho=0.53, p<0.005). The percentage of oxidized CoQ10 was correlated with the concentrations of 8-OHdG in the CSF of sALS patients (rho=-0.53, p<0.05). These results suggest that both mitochondrial oxidative damage and oxidative DNA damage play important roles in the pathogenesis of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.     

Toll-like receptor-3-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in cultured human hepatocytes

Several studies have shown the presence of liver mitochondrial dysfunction during sepsis. TLR3 recognizes viral double-stranded RNA and host endogenous cellular mRNA released from damaged cells. TLR3 ligand amplifies the systemic hyperinflammatory response observed during sepsis and in sepsis RNA escaping from damaged tissues/cells may serve as an endogenous ligand for TLR3 thereby modulating immune responses. This study addressed the hypothesis that TLR3 might regulate mitochondrial function in cultured human hepatocytes.HepG2 cells were exposed to TLR-3 ligand (dsRNA — polyinosine–polycytidylic acid; Poly I:C) and mitochondrial respiration was measured. Poly I:C induced a reduction in maximal mitochondrial respiration of human hepatocytes which was prevented partially by preincubation with cyclosporine A (a mitochondrial permeability transition pore-opening inhibitor). Poly-I:C induced activation of NF-κB, and the mitochondrial dysfunction was accompanied by caspase-8 but not caspase-3 activation and by no major alterations in cellular or mitochondrial ultrastructure.     

Nitric oxide and hypoxia exacerbate alcohol-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in hepatocytes

Chronic alcohol consumption results in hepatotoxicity, steatosis, hypoxia, increased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and decreased activities of mitochondrial respiratory enzymes. The impact of these changes on cellular respiration and their interaction in a cellular setting is not well understood. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO)-dependent modulation of cellular respiration and the sensitivity to hypoxic stress is increased following chronic alcohol consumption. This is important since NO has been shown to regulate mitochondrial function through its interaction with cytochrome c oxidase, although at higher concentrations, and in combination with reactive oxygen species, can result in mitochondrial dysfunction. We found that hepatocytes isolated from alcohol-fed rats had decreased mitochondrial bioenergetic reserve capacity and were more sensitive to NO-dependent inhibition of respiration under room air and hypoxic conditions. We reasoned that this would result in greater hypoxic stress in vivo, and to test this, wild-type and iNOS(-/-) mice were administered alcohol-containing diets. Chronic alcohol consumption resulted in liver hypoxia in the wild-type mice and increased levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 α in the peri-venular region of the liver lobule. These effects were attenuated in the alcohol-fed iNOS(-/-) mice suggesting that increased mitochondrial sensitivity to NO and reactive nitrogen species in hepatocytes and iNOS plays a critical role in determining the response to hypoxic stress in vivo. These data support the concept that the combined effects of NO and ethanol contribute to an increased susceptibility to hypoxia and the deleterious effects of alcohol consumption on liver.     

Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage in parkin-deficient mice

Loss-of-function mutations in parkin are the predominant cause of familial Parkinson's disease. We previously reported that parkin-/- mice exhibit nigrostriatal deficits in the absence of nigral degeneration. Parkin has been shown to function as an E3 ubiquitin ligase. Loss of parkin function, therefore, has been hypothesized to cause nigral degeneration via an aberrant accumulation of its substrates. Here we employed a proteomic approach to determine whether loss of parkin function results in alterations in abundance and/or modification of proteins in the ventral midbrain of parkin-/- mice. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry revealed decreased abundance of a number of proteins involved in mitochondrial function or oxidative stress. Consistent with reductions in several subunits of complexes I and IV, functional assays showed reductions in respiratory capacity of striatal mitochondria isolated from parkin-/- mice. Electron microscopic analysis revealed no gross morphological abnormalities in striatal mitochondria of parkin-/- mice. In addition, parkin-/- mice showed a delayed rate of weight gain, suggesting broader metabolic abnormalities. Accompanying these deficits in mitochondrial function, parkin-/- mice also exhibited decreased levels of proteins involved in protection from oxidative stress. Consistent with these findings, parkin-/- mice showed decreased serum antioxidant capacity and increased protein and lipid peroxidation. The combination of proteomic, genetic, and physiological analyses reveal an essential role for parkin in the regulation of mitochondrial function and provide the first direct evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage in the absence of nigral degeneration in a genetic mouse model of Parkinson's disease.     

HIV-associated dementia, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress

Over the past several decades, researchers have made large advances in unraveling the pathogenesis of HIV-related neurological disease leading to substantial benefits for affected individuals. Concomitant advances in HIV-treatment have changed the landscape of HIV care, resulting in alterations in HIV neuroepidemiolgy and potentially the neuropathogenesis of cognitive disorders. Specifically, widespread ARV medications use has heightened our awareness of mitochondrial toxicity, oxidative stress, and metabolic abnormalities and stimulated more research into the related cognitive consequences. Specific sources of oxidative stress among HIV-1-infected individuals to be discussed in this article include the direct effects of HIV-1, chronic immune activation in response to HIV-1 and other pathogens, and co-morbid factors. Continued research in this area could provide novel therapeutic targets.     

Deregulated Cdk5 promotes oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction

Oxidative stress is one of the earliest events in Alzheimer's disease (AD). A chemical genetic screen revealed that deregulated cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) may cause oxidative stress by compromising the cellular anti-oxidant defense system. Using novel Cdk5 modulators, we show the mechanism by which Cdk5 can induce oxidative stress in the disease's early stage and cell death in the late stage. Cdk5 dysregulation upon neurotoxic insults results in reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in neuronal cells because of the inactivation of peroxiredoxin I and II. Sole temporal activation of Cdk5 also increases ROS, suggesting its major role in this process. Cdk5 inhibition rescues mitochondrial damage upon neurotoxic insults, thereby revealing Cdk5 as an upstream regulator of mitochondrial dysfunction. As mitochondrial damage results in elevated ROS and Ca(2+) levels, both of which activate Cdk5, we propose that a feedback loop occurs in late stage of AD and leads to cell death (active Cdk5 --> ROS --> excess ROS --> mitochondrial damage --> ROS --> hyperactive Cdk5 --> severe oxidative stress and cell injury --> cell death). Cdk5 inhibition upon neurotoxic insult prevents cell death significantly, supporting this hypothesis. As oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction play pivotal roles in promoting neurodegeneration, Cdk5 could be a viable therapeutic target for AD.     

Time-course of mitochondrial gene expressions in mice brains: implications for mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative damage, and cytochrome c in aging

The study of aging is critical for a better understanding of many age-related diseases. The free radical theory of aging, one of the prominent aging hypotheses, holds that during aging, increasing reactive oxygen species in mitochondria causes mutations in the mitochondrial DNA and damages mitochondrial components, resulting in senescence. Understanding a mitochondrial gene expression profile and its relationship to mitochondrial function becomes an important step in understanding aging. The objective of the present study was to determine mRNA expression of mitochondrial-encoded genes in brain slices from C57BL6 mice at four ages (2, 12, 18, and 24 months) and to determine how these altered mitochondrial genes influence age-related changes, including oxidative damage and cytochrome c in apoptosis. Using northern blot analysis, in situ hybridization, and immunofluorescence analyses, we analyzed changes in the expression of mitochondrial RNA encoding the mitochondrial genes, oxidative damage marker, 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHG), and cytochrome c in brain slices from the cortex of C57BL6 mice at each of the four ages. Our northern blot analysis revealed an increased expression of mitochondrial-encoded genes in complexes I, III, IV, and V of the respiratory chain in 12- and 18-month-old C57BL6 mice compared to 2-month-old mice, suggesting a compensatory mechanism that allows the production of proteins involved in the electron transport chain. In contrast to the up-regulation of mitochondrial genes in 12- and 18-month-old C57BL6 mice, mRNA expression in 24-month-old C57BL6 mice was decreased, suggesting that compensation maintained by the up-regulated genes cannot be sustained and that the down-regulation of expression results in the later stage of aging. Our in situ hybridization analyses of mitochondrial genes from the hippocampus and the cortex revealed that mitochondrial genes were over-expressed, suggesting that these brain areas are critical for mitochondrial functions. Our immunofluorescence analysis of 8-OHG and cytochrome c revealed increased 8-OHG and cytochrome c in 12-month-old C57BL6 mice, suggesting that age-related mitochondrial oxidative damage and apoptosis are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Our double-labeling analysis of in situ hybridization of ATPase 6 and our immunofluorescence analysis of 8-OHG suggest that specific neuronal populations undergo oxidative damage. Further, double-labeling analysis of in situ hybridization of ATPase 6 and immunofluorescence analysis of cytochrome c suggest cytochrome c release is related to mitochondrial dysfunction in the aging C57BL6 mouse brain. This study also suggests that these mitochondrial gene expression changes may relate to the role of mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative damage, and cytochrome c in aging and in age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.     

Transglutaminase overexpression sensitizes neuronal cell lines to apoptosis by increasing mitochondrial membrane potential and cellular oxidative stress

'Tissue' transglutaminase (tTG) selectively accumulates in cells undergoing apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro. Considering the central role played by mitochondria in apoptosis, we investigated the relationships existing amongst tTG expression, apoptosis and mitochondrial function. To this aim we studied the mechanisms of apoptosis in a neuronal cell line (SK-N-BE (2)) in which the tTG-expression was driven by a constitutive promoter. Furthermore, a tet-off inducible promoter was also used in 3T3 fibroblastic cells used as control. Both cell lines, when expressing tTG, appeared 'sensitized' to apoptosis. Strikingly, we found major differences in the morphological features of mitochondria among cell lines in the absence of apoptotic stimuli. In addition, these ultrastructural characteristics were associated with specific functional features: (i) constitutively hyperpolarized mitochondria and (ii) increased reactive oxygen intermediates production. Importantly, after mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis by staurosporine, a rapid loss of mitochondrial membrane potential was found in tTG cells only. Taken together, these results seem to suggest that, via hyperpolarization, tTG might act as a 'sensitizer' towards apoptotic stimuli specifically targeted to mitochondria. These results could also be of pathogenetic relevance for those diseases that are characterized by increased tTG and apoptotic rate together with impaired mitochondrial function, e.g. in some neurodegenerative disease.     

p8 Upregulation sensitizes astrocytes to oxidative stress

Here we studied the mechanism of cell sensitization to oxidative stress by analyzing the gene expression profile of serum-deprived astrocytes. Exposure to serum-free medium (i) sensitized astrocytes to oxidative stress, (ii) reduced the expression of several genes involved in protection against oxidative stress, including heme oxygenase 1, and (iii) changed the expression of several genes involved in the control of cell survival, including the stress-regulated protein p8. Our results support that serum deprivation sensitizes astrocytes to oxidative stress via a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent p8 upregulation that leads in turn to decreased heme oxygenase 1 expression.