Spectroscopic, Polarographic, and Microcalorimetric Studies on Mitochondrial Dysfunction Induced by Ethanol

Liver mitochondria are involved in several important life processes; mitochondrial dysfunction and disorders are implicated in several human diseases. Alcohol permeates all tissues of the body and exerts some intrinsic hepatotoxicity. In this work, our results demonstrated that ethanol caused a series of mitochondria permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening factors such as mitochondrial swelling, increased permeability of H⁺ and K⁺, collapsed membrane potential, and increased membrane fluidity. Furthermore, mitochondrial ultrastructure alternation observed clearly by transmission electron microscopy and the release of Cytochrome c could explain the MPTP opening from another aspect. Moreover, ethanol damaged the mitochondrial respiration system and induced disturbance of mitochondrial energy metabolism which was monitored by polarographic and microcalorimetric methods, respectively. Considered together, these damages may promote both apoptotic and necrotic cell death and contribute to the onset or progression alcohol-induced liver diseases.