Quantification of mitochondrial membrane potential in the isolated rat lung using rhodamine 6G

Mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ_m) plays a key role in vital mitochondrial functions, and its dissipation is a hallmark of mitochondrial dysfunction. The objective of this study was to develop an experimental and computational approach for estimating Δψ_m in intact rat lungs using the lipophilic fluorescent cationic dye rhodamine 6G (R6G). Rat lungs were excised and connected to a ventilation-perfusion system. The experimental protocol consisted of three single-pass phases, loading, washing, and uncoupling, in which the lungs were perfused with R6G-containing perfusate, fresh R6G-free perfusate, or R6G-free perfusate containing the mitochondrial uncoupler FCCP, respectively. This protocol was carried out with lung perfusate containing verapamil vehicle or verapamil, an inhibitor of the multidrug efflux pump P-glycoprotein (Pgp). Results show that the addition of FCCP resulted in an increase in R6G venous effluent concentration and that this increase was larger in the presence of verapamil than in its absence. A physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for the pulmonary disposition of R6G was developed and used for quantitative interpretation of the kinetic data, including estimating Δψ_m. The estimated value of Δψ_m [-144 ± 24 (SD) mV] was not significantly altered by inhibiting Pgp with verapamil and is comparable with that estimated previously in cultured pulmonary endothelial cells. These results demonstrate the utility of the proposed approach for quantifying Δψ_m in intact functioning lungs. This approach has potential to provide quantitative assessment of the effect of injurious conditions on lung mitochondrial function and to evaluate the impact of therapies that target mitochondria.NEW & NOTEWORTHY A novel experimental and computational approach for estimating mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ_m) in intact functioning lungs is presented. The isolated rat lung inlet-outlet concentrations of the fluorescent cationic dye rhodamine 6G were measured and analyzed by using a computational model of its pulmonary disposition to determine Δψ_m. The approach has the potential to provide quantitative assessment of the effect of injurious conditions and their therapies on lung mitochondrial function.