INFLUENCE OF SOME BIOLOGICAL RESPONSE MODIFIERS ON SWELLING OF RAT-LIVER MITOCHONDRIA IN-VITRO

In order to understand any involvement of altered calcium functions in peroxidative membrane damage, the effect of a few chemicals, known to modify specific biological responses involving calcium related functions on mitochondrial swelling in vitro was studied. Histamine caused swelling, whereas antihistamines reduced calcium induced swelling. Anti-inflammatory agents aspirin and indomethacin did not affect the initial rapid phase of swelling but reduced the swelling during the later phase. The uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation and electron transport chain blockers such as dinitrophenol (DNP), antimycin-A and rotenone reduced swelling and the respiratory inhibitors KCN and sodium azide completely abolished it. Trifluoperazine, an anti-calmodulin agent did not influence the initial phase of calcium induced swelling but in the subsequent phase swelling was reduced. c-AMP as well as calcium ionophores, calcimycin and lasalocid acid, potentiated swelling. Thus agents capable of modulating calcium functions could influence the in vitro swelling of mitochondria.