title: ATP contents and structure of rat liver mitochondria in the presence of 2-mercaptopropionylglycine.
abstract: 2-Mercaptopropionylglycine was found to be efficient in the treatment of chronic hepatitis. Interest was focussed on the possible mode of action of that reagent at the subcellular level. ATP contents in mitochondria were increased after anaerobic preincubation and after addition of ADP and 2-mercaptopropionylglycine. Concomitantly, we found an increase in condensed configuration of mitochondria. If the reagent was added before ATP-Mg2+ (ADP) the mitochondrial structure was well preserved, though, throughout of orthodox configuration. In comparison the control specimens were grossly swollen. It is proposed that the reagent may act at the level of mitochondrial energy coupling.
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism*; D000603:Amino Acids, Sulfur / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008274:Magnesium / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008930:Mitochondria, Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008933:Mitochondrial Swelling / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D008625:Tiopronin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000603:Amino Acids, Sulfur; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D008625:Tiopronin; D008274:Magnesium