RESPIRATORY ACTIVITY OF LUNG MITOCHONDRIA ISOLATED FROM OXYGEN-EXPOSED RATS

The effects of in vivo oxygen exposure on mitochondrial energy metabolism were assessed by measurements of ADP-stimulated rates of oxygen utilization in lung homogenates and mitochondria isolated from rats after 24 h of exposure to 100% oxygen. Oxygen utilizations supported by FAD-linked metabolism of succinate and alpha-glycerophosphate were unaffected by oxygen exposure. On the other hand, mitochondrial respiratory activities supported by the NAD-linked substrates, isocitrate and alpha-ketoglutarate, were significantly reduced by 32 and 25%, respectively. These results could not be explained by changes in mitochondrial pyridine nucleotide or calcium contents. The activity of mitochondrial isocitrate dehydrogenase, measured in the absence of respiratory chain activity, was shown to be unaltered by oxygen exposure, suggesting that a potential site of oxygen-induced impairment is located within the respiratory chain rather than at the enzyme site of reducing equivalent transfer from NAD to components of the respiratory chain. Because lung mitochondrial alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase activity was unaffected by oxygen exposure, it may maintain the oxidation of cytosolic reducing equivalents and subsequent energy generation under conditions when NAD-linked proton-shuttle mechanisms are impaired.