title: Reversible ultrastructural alterations in the myocytic mitochondria of isolated rat hearts induced by oxygen radicals.
abstract: The present study focuses on reversible mitochondrial ultrastructural alterations in myocardial myocytes that correspond or accompany reversible metabolic depression observed after oxygen radical exposure. The myocytic mitochondrial membranes and matrix of isolated Langendorff-perfused rat hearts were examined by semiquantitative morphometry using the electron micrograph as unit. The hearts were exposed to either standard perfusion (group A), 10 min of oxygen radicals together with superoxide dismutase and catalase followed by 35 min of recovery (group B), 10 min of oxygen radicals alone (group C), or 10 min of oxygen radicals followed by 35 min of recovery (group D). Mitochondrial ultrastructural alterations were detected in only a few micrographs in groups A and B. The frequency of micrographs with mitochondrial ultrastructural alterations was 69% in group C and 62% in group D. In the group exposed to 10 min of oxygen radicals without recovery (group C) condensed pentalaminar membranous profiles arranged in parallel, interpreted to be closely adhering cristae, were detected in the intracristal compartment of myocytic mitochondria in 50% of the micrographs. The cristal adhesions were associated with other mitochondrial ultrastructural changes. Cristal adhesions were not present in group A or B, and were rarely found in the group exposed to 10 min of oxygen radicals followed by 35 min of recovery (group D). Thus, the cristal adhesions appear to be reversible alterations caused by exposure to oxygen radicals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology, University of Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Hegstad
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ytrehus
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Myklebust
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jørgensen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002374:Catalase / Q000494:pharmacology; D005609:Free Radicals; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008929:Mitochondria, Heart / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000494:pharmacology; D019820:Xanthine; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D014970:Xanthines / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005609:Free Radicals; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D014970:Xanthines; D019820:Xanthine; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase; D010100:Oxygen