Interrelation of active oxygen species, membrane damage and altered calcium functions

Incubation of freshly isolated rat liver mitochondria in the presence of oxygen free radical generating hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system led to swelling of mitochondria as measured by the change in optical density, which was reversed by the addition of superoxide dismutase. O2- in the presence of CaCl2 enhanced the peroxidative decomposition of mitochondrial membrane lipids along with swelling of the organelle. Free radical generation led to enhancement of monoamine oxidase activity while glutathione peroxidase and cytochrome c oxidase were inhibited. Tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) caused mitochondrial swelling through oxidative stress. Incorporation of ruthenium red, which is a Ca2+ transport blocker, during assay abolished peroxidative membrane damage and swelling. Dithiothreitol (DTT) accorded protection against t-BHP induced mitochondrial swelling. The above in vitro data suggest a possible interrelationship of active oxygen species, membrane damage and calcium dynamics.