Caspase-9 is a component of the apoptosome that mediates cell death following release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. Inhibition of Caspase-9 with a dominant negative construct (Casp9DN) blocks apoptosome function, promotes viability and has been implicated in carcinogenesis. Inhibition of the apoptosome in vitro impairs mitochondrial function and promotes mitophagy. To examine whether inhib...

It is known that cardiovascular complications plays important roles in the development of diabetes mellitus (DM) and platelet dysfunction is one of the key reasons which led to microangiopathy. This study was designed to investigate the mitochondria function changes of platelet in DM rats and DM patients. The results showed that the platelets viability, platelet adenosine triphosphate (ATP) con...

The effects of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and its tetraacetylated derivative (NDGATA) on the growth, oxygen consumption, adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) level and viability of mouse mammary adenocarcinoma TA3 and its multiresistant variant TA3-MTX-R cell lines were determined. NDGA inhibited mitochondrial carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP)-stimulated oxygen consumption in mou...

The effects of various stresses on mitochondrial activity and structure within the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardii were investigated using the fluorescent probe rhodamine 123. Within control cells, treatment with rhodamine 123 stained an intense fluorescent network, which was considered to be mitochondrial from the similarity in structure to models of mitochondria reconstructed ...

Oxidative stress has been associated with valproic acid (VPA) treatment, and mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of VPA-idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity. The present study investigated the effect of VPA and the role of GSH on oxidative stress, mitochondrial membrane potential, and toxicity in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes. Hepatocytes were isolated from Sprague-Dawl...

One of the major adverse effects of cisplatin chemotherapy is hearing loss. Cisplatin-induced ototoxicity hampers treatment because it often necessitates dose reduction, which decreases cisplatin efficacy. This study was performed to investigate the effect of Tempol on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in an auditory cell line, House Ear Institute-Organ of Corti 1 (HEI-OC1). Cultured HEI-OC1 cells ...

This study aimed to determine the effects of Bauhinia championii flavone (BCF) on hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) induced apoptosis in H9c2 cardiomyocytes and to explore potential mechanisms. The H/R model in H9c2 cardiomyocytes was established by 6 h of hypoxia and 12 h of reoxygenation. Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay. Apoptotic rate was measured by Annexin V/PI staining. Levels of mit...

Baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis repeat-containing (Birc)6 gene/BIRC6 (Bruce/APOLLON) encodes an inhibitor of apoptosis and a chimeric E2/E3 ubiquitin ligase in mammals. The physiological role of Bruce in antiapoptosis is unknown. Here, we show that deletion of the C-terminal half of Bruce, including the UBC domain, causes activation of caspases and apoptosis in the placenta and yolk sac, lea...

To clarify the role of mitochondrial electron transport chain (mtETC) in heavy-metal-induced neurotoxicity, we studied action of Cd(2+), Hg(2+), and Cu(2+) on cell viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species formation, respiratory function, and mitochondrial membrane potential of rat cell line PC12. As found, the metals produced, although in a different way, dose- and time-dependent change...

Considering membranes and membrane components as possible pacemakers of the main processes taking place inside mitochondria, changes in phospholipids or fatty acids could play a central role linking different mechanisms involved in cumulative damage to cell molecules and dysfunction during periods of high stress, such as rapid growth and aging. Changes affecting either lipid class or fatty acid...