title: Vitamin E oxidation in rat liver mitochondria.
abstract: Antioxidant reactions of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E, alpha-TH) were studied by examining the fate of alpha-TH during oxidative challenge to mitochondrial membranes. Rat liver mitochondria were exposed to increasing concentrations of the water-soluble radical initiator 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochoride (ABAP), and damage was assessed by monitoring mitochondrial respiration, alpha-TH oxidation, and lipid peroxidation. Significant lipid peroxidation was observed after 50% of the initial alpha-TH was depleted. Oxidative damage produced by ABAP-generated peroxyl radicals inhibited mitochondrial use of O2, as indicated by decreases in the respiratory control ratio and in state 3 and state 4 respiration. Rat liver mitochondria were supplemented with [14C]-alpha-TH by incubation of liver homogenate with [14C]-alpha-TH for 30 min at room temperature, followed by isolation of mitochondria by differential centrifugation. This supplementation resulted in a distribution of 83.7% and 14.3% of the added alpha-TH to the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes, respectively, which is similar to the distribution of endogenous alpha-TH. [14C]-alpha-TH-supplemented mitochondria then were treated with ABAP, and alpha-TH oxidation products were identified by radiochromatographic analysis of mitochondrial extracts. Products observed included alpha-tocopherolquinone, alpha-tocopherolquinone-2,3-oxide, and alpha-tocopherolquinone-5,6-oxide, which were identified by comparing HPLC retention and UV spectra to those of authentic standards. Product identities were verified by GC-MS of product O-trimethylsilyl derivatives. Another product, which was identified by HPLC, UV, and mass spectral analysis as 8a-(ethyldioxy)tocopherone, was found to be an artifact of sample workup and was shown to be derived from 8a-hydroperoxytocopherone, which was formed by alpha-TH oxidation in the mitochondria. These results indicate that alpha-TH antioxidant reactions in mitochondria are similar to those identified in homogeneous solutions and model liposomal systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721, USA.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Ham
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Liebler
mesh_terms: D000578:Amidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D002458:Cell Fractionation; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008930:Mitochondria, Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D010545:Peroxides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000578:Amidines; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D010545:Peroxides; D014810:Vitamin E; C049375:perhydroxyl radical; C046728:2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane)