title: Ultrastructural alterations of the mitochondrial ATPase in the calcium paradox as revealed by negative staining.
abstract: We have used a simple negative staining technique to study the structural alterations of mitochondria from biopsies of hearts subjected to the calcium paradox and treatment with diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker. A significant (P less than 0.05) decrease in the number of spheres on the mitochondrial membranes occurs during the calcium paradox (58.0 +/0 4.1/micrometer vs. control 80.5 +/- 6.5). Treatment with diltiazem prevented the loss of spheres from mitochondrial membranes during the calcium paradox (75.5 +20 5.0 micrometer). We found that this negative staining technique can be used for quick assessment of the condition of mitochondria in biopsies from normal and pathological organs.
mesh_terms: D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D004110:Diltiazem / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008929:Mitochondria, Heart / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010477:Perfusion; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases; D004110:Diltiazem; D002118:Calcium