Ca2+ release from mitochondria induces cytosolic enzyme leakage in anoxic liver

The mechanisms of elevation of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration during anoxia causing cytosolic enzyme leakage were studied in perfused rat liver. Before anoxia the Ca2+ contents in mitochondria of perfused rat liver were varied by addition of noradrenaline and glucagon, lowering Ca2+ concentration in the perfusion medium, and addition of Ca2+ channel blocker, either singly or in combination. The amount of cytosolic enzyme leakage during anoxic perfusion positively correlated with the mitochondrial Ca2+ content just before anoxia and also with Ca2+ release from mitochondria during anoxia. However, the amount of cytosolic enzyme leakage during anoxic perfusion did not correlate with the Ca2+ concentration in the perfusion medium and microsomal Ca2+ content. These data support the hypothesis that in anoxic liver, the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration is elevated to a pathological level mainly by Ca2+ release from mitochondria, causing the cytosolic enzyme leakage.