Prooxidant activity of fisetin: effects on energy metabolism in the rat liver

Flavonols, which possess the B-catechol ring, as quercetin, are capable of producing o-hemiquinones and to oxidize NADH in a variety of mammalian cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether fisetin affects the liver energy metabolism and the mitochondrial NADH to NAD+ ratio. The action of fisetin on hepatic energy metabolism was investigated in the perfused rat liver and isolated mitochondria. In isolated mitochondria, fisetin decreased the respiratory control and ADP/O ratios with the substrates α-ketoglutarate and succinate. In the presence of ADP, respiration of isolated mitochondria was inhibited with both substrates, indicating an inhibitory action on the ATP-synthase. The stimulation of the ATPase activity of coupled mitochondria and the inhibition of NADH-oxidase activity pointed toward a possible uncoupling action and the interference of fisetin with mitochondrial energy transduction mechanisms. In livers from fasted rats, fisetin inhibited ketogenesis from endogenous sources. The β-hydroxybutyrate/ acetoacetate ratio, which reflects the mitochondrial NADH/NAD+ redox ratio, was also decreased. In addition, fisetin (200 μM) increased the production of (14)CO2 from exogenous oleate. The results of this investigation suggest that fisetin causes a shift in the mitochondrial redox potential toward a more oxidized state with a clear predominance of its prooxidant activity.     

Effect of chloramphenicol on mitochondrial and extramitochondrial systems in the isolated perfused rat heart

The isolated, perfused working rat heart was used as a model for investigating the effects of chloramphenicol on mitochondrial amino acid incorporation in an intact organ. The most obvious inhibitory effects of chloramphenicol were extramitochondrial: decreased mechanical performance of the heart and marked reduction in glucose uptake and lactate production. The ATP levels of the perfused heart were significantly increased at high levels of chloramphenicol. Chloramphenicol (50 to 500 μg/ml perfusate) did not inhibit the incorporation into the mitochondria or other subcellular fractions. A specific inhibitory effect on mitochondrial protein synthesis could only be observed when the cytoplasmic protein synthetizing system had been inhibited by cycloheximide. Under these conditions it could be demonstrated that the chloramphenicol sensitivity was greater for the synthesis of the insoluble proteins than for that of the soluble proteins of the mitochondria The chloramphenicol inhibition of mitochondrial protein synthesis which could be obtained in the isolated heart was approx. 70% which was twice as high as could be achieved when isolated mitochondria were incorporating amino acids.     

Effect of heliomycin on the respiration and oxidative phosphorylation of the liver mitochondria of the rat

The effect of heliomycin and known uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation on respiration and oxidative phosphorylation was studied comparatively. Heliomycin, as well as 2,4-dinitrophenol, valinomycin and gramicidin S inhibited the mitochondrial synthesis of ATP. This process was inhibited completely by heliomycin at a concentration of 1.5 x 10(-5) M. The synthesis of inorganic pyrophosphate, the other macroergic compound, was also inhibited by heliomycin, ATPase and pyrophosphatase of uncoupled mitochondria being not inhibited by the antibiotic. Like 2,4-dinitrophenol, heliomycin stimulated the synthesis of ATPase and respiration in intact mitochondria. Probably, heliomycin inhibited the synthesis of ATP and pyrophosphate by uncoupling the processes of respiration and oxidative phosphorylation. It was shown earlier that heliomycin, a specific inhibitor of bacterial RNA synthesis, also affected energy metabolism of bacterial cells by inhibiting the synthesis of ATP and active transport.     

Influence of tamoxifen on gluconeogenesis and glycolysis in the perfused rat liver

The actions of tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator used in chemotherapy and chemo-prevention of breast cancer, on glycolysis and gluconeogenesis were investigated in the isolated perfused rat liver. Tamoxifen inhibited gluconeogenesis from both lactate and fructose at very low concentrations (e.g., 5 μM). The opposite, i.e., stimulation, was found for glycolysis from both endogenous glycogen and fructose. Oxygen uptake was unaffected, inhibited or stimulated, depending on the conditions. Stimulation occurred in both microsomes and mitochondria. Tamoxifen did not affect the most important key-enzymes of gluconeogenesis, namely, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, pyruvate carboxylase, fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase and glucose 6-phosphatase. Confirming previous observations, however, tamoxifen inhibited very strongly NADH- and succinate-oxidase of freeze–thawing disrupted mitochondria. Tamoxifen promoted the release of both lactate dehydrogenase (mainly cytosolic) and fumarase (mainly mitochondrial) into the perfusate. Tamoxifen (200 μM) clearly diminished the ATP content and increased the ADP content of livers in the presence of lactate with a diminution of the ATP/ADP ratio from 1.67 to 0.79. The main causes for gluconeogenesis inhibition are probably: (a) inhibition of energy metabolism; (b) deviation of intermediates (malate and glucose 6-phosphate) for the production of NADPH required in hydroxylation and demethylation reactions; (c) deviation of glucosyl units toward glucuronidation reactions; (d) secondary inhibitory action of nitric oxide, whose production is stimulated by tamoxifen; (e) impairment of the cellular structure, especially the membrane structure. Stimulation of glycolysis is probably a compensatory phenomenon for the diminished mitochondrial ATP production. The multiple actions of tamoxifen at relatively low concentrations can represent a continuous burden to the overall hepatic functions during long treatment periods.     

Metabolic effects of acetaminophen. Studies in the isolated perfused rat liver

The effects of acetaminophen on the metabolism of the isolated perfused rat liver were investigated. The following results were obtained: (1) Acetaminophen increased glucose release and glycolysis from endogenous glycogen (glycogenolysis). (2) Oxygen uptake, gluconeogenesis from either pyruvate or fructose and glycogen synthesis were inhibited. (3) In isolated rat liver mitochondria acetaminophen decreased state III and state IV respiration; it also decreased the ADP/O ratio and the respiratory control ratio. (4) The action of acetaminophen on glycogenolysis was not affected by N-acetylcysteine; this compound, however, increased glycogen synthesis. (5) The effects of acetaminophen are reversible. It was concluded that glycogen depletion by acetaminophen can be produced by two mechanisms. The first, as previously demonstrated by several workers, depends on irreversible binding of a reactive metabolite. The second, however, is reversible and depends primarily on an inhibition of mitochondrial energy metabolism.     

Different transport pathways of individual precursor proteins in mitochondria

Transport of mitochondrial precursor proteins into mitochondria of Neurospora crassa was studied in a cell-free reconstituted system. Precursors were synthesized in a reticulocyte lysate programmed with Neurospora mRNA and transported into isolated mitochondria in the absence of protein synthesis. Uptake of the following precursors was investigated: apocytochrome c, ADP/ATP carrier and subunit 9 of the oligomycin-sensitive ATPase. Addition of high concentrations of unlabelled chemically prepared apocytochrome c (1-10 microM) inhibited the appearance in the mitochondrial of labelled cytochrome c synthesized in vitro because the unlabelled protein dilutes the labelled one and because the translocation system has a limited capacity [apparent V is 1-3 pmol X min-1 X (mg mitochondrial protein)-1]. Concentrations of added apocytochrome c exceeding the concentrations of precursor proteins synthesized in vitro by a factor of about 10(4) did not inhibit the transfer of ADP/ATP carrier or ATPase subunit 9 into mitochondria. Carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, an uncoupler of oxidate phosphorylation, inhibited transfer in vitro of ADP/ATP carrier and of ATPase subunit 9, but not of cytochrome c. These findings suggest that cytochrome c and the other two proteins have different import pathways into mitochondria. It can be inferred from the data presented that different 'receptors' on the mitochondria. It can be inferred from the data presented that different 'receptors' on the mitochondrial surface mediate the specific recognition of precursor proteins by mitochondria by mitochondria as a first step in the transport process.     

The function of mitochondrial F(O)F(1) ATP-synthase from the whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei muscle during hypoxia

The effect of hypoxia and re-oxygenation on the mitochondrial complex F(O)F(1)-ATP synthase was investigated in the whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. A 660 kDa protein complex isolated from mitochondria of the shrimp muscle was identified as the ATP synthase complex. After 10h at hypoxia (1.5-2.0 mg oxygen/L), the concentration of L-lactate in plasma increased significantly, but the ATP amount and the concentration of ATPβ protein remained unaffected. Nevertheless, an increase of 70% in the ATPase activity was detected, suggesting that the enzyme may be regulated at a post-translational level. Thus, during hypoxia shrimp are able to maintain ATP amounts probably by using some other energy sources as phosphoarginine when an acute lack of energy occurs. During re-oxygenation, the ATPase activity decreased significantly and the ATP production continued via the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation. The results obtained showed that shrimp faces hypoxia partially by hydrolyzing the ATP through the reaction catalyzed by the mitochondrial ATPase which increases its activity.     

Acetaminophen toxicity results in site-specific mitochondrial damage in isolated mouse hepatocytes

Exposure of isolated mouse hepatocytes to a toxic concentration of acetaminophen (5 mM) resulted in damage to the mitochondrial respiratory apparatus. The nature of this damage was investigated by measuring respiration stimulated by site-specific substrates in digitonin-permeabilized hepatocytes after acetaminophen exposure. Respiration stimulated by succinate at energy-coupling site 2 was most sensitive to inhibition and was decreased by 47% after 1 h. Respiration supported by NADH-linked substrates (site 1) was also decreased but to a lesser extent, while there was no decrease in the rate of ascorbate + N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD)-supported respiration (site 3). The loss of mitochondrial respiratory function was accompanied by a decrease in ATP levels and ATP/ADP ratios in the cytosolic compartment and was preceded by a loss of reduced glutathione in both the cytosol and mitochondria. All these effects occurred well before the loss of cell membrane integrity. The putative toxic metabolite of acetaminophen, N-acetyl-p-benzoquinonimine (NAPQI), produced a similar pattern of respiratory dysfunction in isolated hepatic mitochondria. Respiration stimulated by succinate- and NADH-linked substrates was very sensitive to 50 microM NAPQI, while ascorbate + TMPD-supported respiration was unaffected. The interaction between NAPQI and the respiratory chain was further investigated using submitochondrial particles. Succinate dehydrogenase (associated with respiratory complex II) was found to be very sensitive to NAPQI, while NADH dehydrogenase (respiratory complex I) was inhibited to a lesser extent. Our results indicate that a loss of the ability to utilize succinate- and NADH-linked substrates due to attack of the respiratory chain by NAPQI causes a disruption of energy homeostasis in acetaminophen hepatotoxicity.     

Calcium stimulates ATP-Mg/Pi carrier activity in rat liver mitochondria

Adenine nucleotide transport over the carboxyatractyloside-insensitive ATP-Mg/Pi carrier was assayed in isolated rat liver mitochondria with the aim of investigating a possible regulatory role for Ca2+ on carrier activity. Net changes in the matrix adenine nucleotide content (ATP + ADP + AMP) occur when ATP-Mg exchanges for Pi over this carrier. The rates of net accumulation and net loss of adenine nucleotides were inhibited when free Ca2+ was chelated with EGTA and stimulated when buffered [Ca2+]free was increased from 1.0 to 4.0 microM. The unidirectional components of net change were similarly dependent on Ca2+; ATP influx and efflux were inhibited by EGTA in a concentration-dependent manner and stimulated by buffered free Ca2+ in the range 0.6-2.0 microM. For ATP influx, increasing the medium [Ca2+]free from 1.0 to 2.0 microM lowered the apparent Km for ATP from 4.44 to 2.44 mM with no effect on the apparent Vmax (3.55 and 3.76 nmol/min/mg with 1.0 and 2.0 microM [Ca2+]free, respectively). Stimulation of influx and efflux by [Ca2+]free was unaffected by either ruthenium red or the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. Calmodulin antagonists inhibited transport activity. In isolated hepatocytes, glucagon or vasopressin promoted an increased mitochondrial adenine nucleotide content. The effect of both hormones was blocked by EGTA, and for vasopressin, the effect was blocked also by neomycin. The results suggest that the increase in mitochondrial adenine nucleotide content that follows hormonal stimulation of hepatocytes is mediated by an increase in cytosolic [Ca2+]free that activates the ATP-Mg/Pi carrier.     

Stimulatory effect of regucalcin on ATP-dependent Ca(2+) uptake activity in rat liver mitochondria

The effect of Ca(2+)-binding protein regucalcin on Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in isolated rat liver mitochondria was investigated. The presence of regucalcin (0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 microM) in the enzyme reaction mixture led to a significant increase in Ca(2+)-ATPase activity. Regucalcin significantly stimulated ATP-dependent (45)Ca(2+) uptake by the mitochondria. Ruthenium red (10(-5) M) or lanthanum chloride (10(-4) M), an inhibitor of mitochondrial Ca(2+) uptake, completely inhibited regucalcin (0.25 microM)-increased mitochondrial Ca(2+)-ATPase activity and (45)Ca(2+) uptake. The effect of regucalcin (0.25 microM) in increasing Ca(2+)-ATPase activity was completely inhibited by the presence of digitonin (10(-2)%), a solubilizing reagent of membranous lipids, or vanadate (10(-5) M), an inhibitor of phosphorylation of ATPase. The activatory effect of regucalcin (0.25 microM) on Ca(2+)-ATPase activity was not further enhanced in the presence of dithiothreitol (2.5 mM), a protecting reagent of the sulfhydryl (SH) group of the enzyme, or calmodulin (0.60 microM), a modulator protein of Ca(2+) action that could increase mitochondrial Ca(2+)-ATPase activity. The present study demonstrates that regucalcin can stimulate Ca(2+) pump activity in rat liver mitochondria, and that the protein may act on an active site (SH group)-related to phosphorylation of mitochondrial Ca(2+)-ATPase.     

Crystal violet as an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation in rat liver mitochondria

Crystal violet exhibited characteristics of an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation, i.e. it released respiratory control, hindered ATP synthesis, enhanced ATPase activity, and produced swelling of isolated rat liver mitochondria. Maximal stimulation of respiration, ATPase activity, and swelling was observed at a concentration of 40 microM. The inhibition of State 3 respiration by oligomycin was released by crystal violet. High concentrations of crystal violet inhibited mitochondrial respiration. The uncoupling effect of crystal violet required inorganic phosphate and was abolished by N-ethylmaleimide. The adenine nucleotides ADP and ATP protected mitochondria from uncoupling by the dye. The dye taken up by mitochondria was released into the incubation medium on induction of uncoupling. In the absence of phosphate, the dye did not cause uncoupling, but its retention was much greater than in the presence of phosphate. Crystal violet is suggested to induce uncoupling by acting on the membrane, rather than by its electrophoretic transfer into the mitochondria.     

Protection of cellular and mitochondrial functions against anoxic damage by fructose in perfused liver.

In anoxic perfused liver, conversion of fructose to lactate was greatly increased to about 3 mumol/min per g liver. This increase in lactate implied that the same amount of ATP was also produced. The rate of metabolism of glucose was less than 10% of that of fructose, as judged by rate of production of lactate. In anoxic liver perfused with fructose, the ATP levels of both the tissue and mitochondria remained high, despite lack of oxygen, thus preventing enzyme leakage and preserving processes requiring ATP, such as bile excretion and urea formation. The mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation capacity of anoxic liver perfused with fructose was also unimpaired. Spectral analysis of light transmitted through the liver revealed that the mitochondrial electron transfer system was in the completely reduced state during anoxia, indicating that the mitochondria were incapable of synthesizing ATP. These results suggest that fructose metabolism during anoxia resulted in sufficient production of ATP for maintaining the physiological functions of the cells and the oxidative phosphorylation capacity of their mitochondria.     

Pyruvate metabolism of perfused rat lungs after exposure to 100% oxygen

Previous studies with lung homogenates have suggested that pulmonary O2 toxicity is in part a result of inhibited mitochondrial energy metabolism. In this study, mitochondrial metabolism was determined by measurements of 14CO2 production from [1-14C]-pyruvate in perfused lungs, isolated after 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h of exposure to 100% O2. Measurements were made under normal and stimulated conditions brought about by uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation with 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP). Lungs were ventilated with 5% CO2 in O2 and perfused for 100 min with 12.5 mM 14C labeled pyruvate. Unexposed lungs gave a linear rate of 14CO2 production of 121 +/- 16 mumol/h/g dry wt (n = 5), which was maximally stimulated 84% by perfusion with 0.8 mMDNP. Twenty-four hours of exposure to 100% O2 did not significantly affect 14CO2 production. In contrast, DNP failed to significantly stimulate pyruvate metabolism to CO2 in lungs exposed for greater than 3 h to 100% O2. These latter data suggested that O2 exposure makes lung mitochondria unable to respond to increased ATP demands associated with DNP uncoupling. Compromised energy metabolism is therefore an important early event in O2 toxicity.     

Inhibition by rhodamine 123 of protein synthesis in mitochondria of normal and cancer tissues

The effect of the mitochondrial dye rhodamine 123 (Rho 123) on protein synthesis (PS) activity was investigated in mitochondria isolated from liver and from both chloroma and erythroleukemia tumors. Incorporation of labelled leucine into mitochondrial protein was used to measure the rate of PS. While PS specific activity was much higher in hematopoietic tumors mitochondria as compared to that of liver, the addition of increased concentration of Rho 123 in all tested organelles resulted in increased inhibition of PS to reach 75-82% with 10 micrograms/ml of the dye. Similar results were obtained with 10 micrograms/ml of chloramphenicol, the specific inhibitor of mitochondrial PS. Moreover, under the conditions of the study, the addition of Rho 123 to mitochondria did not trigger any ATPase activity, thus eliminating any competition for the energy source ATP between PS and ATPase. These results demonstrate that, in addition to its known inhibitory action on oxidative phosphorylation, the mitochondrial dye Rho 123 has a potent inhibitory effect on PS in both liver and hematopoietic tumors mitochondria.     

萌发绿豆子叶衰老期间的呼吸作用与线粒体功能的改变

暗中培养的绿豆幼苗子叶在萌发后3—4天时,外观出现衰老征状,6天后子叶凋落。随子叶日龄的增加,子叶的呼吸强度一直下降,呼吸商始终小于1。当外加L—苹果酸、a—酮戊二酸、琥珀酸和NADH为底物测定离体线粒体氧化活性时,衰老子叶的线粒体对上述四种底物的氧化活性有不同程度的增加;抗氰呼吸也有所升高。子叶衰老时,线粒体的ADP／O和呼吸控制(RC值均降低);线粒体ATPase水解ATP的活性升高。衰老绿豆子叶线粒体氧化磷酸化偶联效率的降低和ATPase水解活性的增强是与线粒体结构改变相联系的一种功能变化,它导致能量亏缺,并进一步加速了衰老的恶化进程。     

Deleterious action of FA metabolites on ATP synthesis: possible link between lipotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and insulin resistance

Insulin resistance is a characteristic feature of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Insulin-resistant individuals manifest multiple disturbances in free fatty acid (FFA) metabolism and have excessive lipid accumulation in insulin target tissues. Although much evidence supports a causal role for altered FFA metabolism in the development of insulin resistance, i.e., "lipotoxicity", the intracellular mechanisms by which elevated plasma FFA levels cause insulin resistance have yet to be completely elucidated. Recent studies have implicated a possible role for mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. We examined the effect of FFA metabolites [palmitoyl carnitine (PC), palmitoyl-coenzyme A (CoA), and oleoyl-CoA] on ATP synthesis in mitochondria isolated from mouse and human skeletal muscle. At concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 2 microM, these FFA metabolites stimulated ATP synthesis; however, above 5 microM, there was a dose-response inhibition of ATP synthesis. Furthermore, 10 microM PC inhibits ATP synthesis from pyruvate. Elevated PC concentrations (> or =10 microM) inhibit electron transport chain activity and decrease the mitochondrial inner membrane potential. These acquired mitochondrial defects, caused by a physiological increase in the concentration of FFA metabolites, provide a mechanistic link between lipotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and muscle insulin resistance.     

A possible mechanism for the increased oxidation of choline after chronic ethanol ingestion.

An attempt has been made to determine the location of the site at which the metabolism of ethanol interacts with that of choline to produce an increase in the oxidation of choline. The first enzyme in the oxidation pathway for choline, choline dehydrogenase, was assayed using a newly developed spectrophotometric assay and freshly isolated intact rat liver mitochondria. No changes were observed in either 'apparent' V or the 'apparent' Km values of choline dehydrogenase for choline after ethanol ingestion. However, when the choline oxidase system was assayed, a 28% decrease in 'apparent' Km for choline and a 53% increase in 'apparent' V was observed. The effects of ATP on choline oxidase were studied further, and a 29.4% decrease was observed in mitochondrial ATP levels from freshly isolated mitochondria from the ethanol-treated rats. In vitro aging of mitochondria further decreased the level of ATP, and the rate of decrease was considerably faster during the first hour in the mitochondria from the ethanol-treated animals. The decreases in ATP from both control and experimental mitochondria were accompanied by increases in choline oxidase activity. The initial decrease in ATP was correlated with an increase in mitochondrial ATPase activity which may be related to an increase in mitochondria Mg2+. Because chronic ethanol ingestion has resulted in decreased oxidation rates of succinate and beta-hydroxybutyrate while at the same time increasing the oxidation rates of choline, the studies reported here suggest that the effect of chronic ethanol ingestion is primarily on a step that is unique to choline and which probably exists prior to the electron transport chain.     

Bioflavonoid regulation of ATPase and hexokinase activity in Ehrlich ascites cell mitochondria.

(1) The mitochondrial ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3) Ehrlich ascites cell mitochondria, was inhibited by D-glucose under physiological concentrations of ATP. The generation of ADP by the mitochondrial bound hexokinase, seems to be the reason for the D-glucose inhibitory effect. Reversal of the inhibitory effect of ADP on Ehrlich ascites cell mitochondria ATPase by an ATP-regenerating system was achieved. (2) Dissociation of mitochondrial bound hexokinase from the mitochondria eliminated the inhibitory effect of D-glucose. Rebinding of the hexokinase to the mitochondria regenerated the D-glucose inhibitory effect on Ehrlich ascites cell mitochondria ATPase. (3) Bioflavonoids such as quercetin inhibit the mitochondrial hexokinase activity, but do not change the mitochondrial ATPase activity of isolated Ehrlich ascites tumor cell mitochondria. (4) The inhibitory effect of bioflavonoids on mitochondrial bound hexokinase activity is shown to be dissociable from the ascites tumor cell mitochondria and seems to be associated with regulatory rather than catalitic sites of the enzyme.     

Heterogeneous pools of cholesterol side-chain cleavage activity in adrenal mitochondria from adrenocorticotropic hormone-treated rats: reconstitution of the isocitrate response with succinate and low concentrations of isocitrate

Cholesterol side-chain cleavage in isolated adrenal mitochondria requires unique energy requirements that may determine not only electron transport to P450 but also cholesterol availability. In mitochondria from ACTH-treated rats, two approximately equal pools of reactive cholesterol are indicated by the partial effectiveness of succinate (SU; Type A), and the metabolism of residual cholesterol by 1 mM isocitrate (IC; Type B). Type A metabolism is associated with relatively few initial cholesterol-P450scc complexes and is rapidly and selectively lost when mitochondria are preincubated without an energy source. We now show that cholesterol metabolism supported by IC resolves into equal high and low affinity components (EC50 = 10 and 250 microM) exhibiting, respectively, Type A and Type B characteristics. SU and 50 microM IC, in combination, provided nearly the same activity characteristics as 1 mM IC, including resistance to preincubation and increased turnover of cholesterol-P450scc complexes. Much higher (three to six times) and more sustained pregnenolone formation was seen, with all reductants, following either enhancement of the reactive cholesterol pool or addition of 20-alpha-hydroxycholesterol, indicating that adrenocorticotropic hormone-mitochondria are limited by substrate availability. ATP generation was most effectively supported by SU, and IC was maximally active at 50 microM, emphasizing differences between respiratory and steroidogenic energy requirements. ATP production and the maintenance of uniform suppression after in vivo cycloheximide treatment indicate the integrity of the mitochondrial interaction with all reductants. Inhibitors of SU oxidation (KCN, malonate) strongly inhibited SU-supported cholesterol metabolism but had little effect on SU synergism with IC. Fumarate (but not alpha-ketoglutarate or oxaloacetate) was equally effective as a synergist, but was totally ineffective as a reductant. SU or fumarate, therefore, act by a nonreductive pathway to boost NADPH production from low concentrations of IC. This decrease in apparent Km for IC may be mediated by stimulation of mitochondrial uptake of the reductant through the specific transporters.