Effects of N-tricyanovinylamines on oxidative phosphorylation and level of SH-groups in rat liver mitochondria.

The effects of N-substituted tricyanovinylamines on oxidative phosphorylation as well as on glutathione and total SH group concentrations in rat liver mitochondria was studied. The N-TCVA derivatives studied (N-cyclohexyl; N-isobutyl; N-benzyl; N-phenyl; N-4-Br-phenyl; N-3-nitrophenyl) had an uncoupling effection on the oxidative phosphorylation. They stimulated the respiration of mitochondria and influenced their membrane potential. In their property as SH agents, the N-TCVA derivatives reduced the level of TSH groups of the mitochondria present in concentrations of 2 mumol/mg protein. The activity of succinate dehydrogenase was decreased by N-TCVA by 13%. N-TCVA derivatives changed the redox state of glutathione in mitochondria. This effect was observed at the concentration 0.3 mumol/mg protein. The results obtained in the present study support the view that the glutathione status is more sensitive than the total level of SH groups to incubation of mitochondria with SH agents such as N-TCVA derivatives.