ferlixit and Siderosis

The effect of in vivo hepatic iron overload, induced by two different amounts of iron, on the energy-transducing efficiency of the mitochondrial membrane has been examined. It has been found that when the epatic iron concentration is up to a threshold value mitochondria present an anomalous membrane potential. Addition of oligomycin fully restitutes it. A low content of intramitochondrial K+ is connected with this pathological condition. A relative lack of antioxidant capability is parallely exhibited by these mitochondria. A possible involvement of lipid peroxidation process in vivo in causing the membrane potential drop and the net efflux of intramitochondrial K+ is suggested.

Topics: Animals; Female; Ferric Compounds; Gluconates; Intracellular Membranes; Iron; Kinetics; Liver; Membrane Potentials; Mitochondria, Liver; Oxidative Phosphorylation; Oxygen Consumption; Potassium; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Siderosis