Estrogens prevent calcium-induced release of cytochrome c from heart mitochondria.
We investigated the effect of estrogens on heart mitochondrial functions and whether estrogens can prevent calcium-induced release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. 10 nM-10 microM 17beta-estradiol or 4-hydroxytamoxifen did not affect mitochondrial respiration rate and membrane potential in state 3 and state 4. Higher concentrations of both agents decreased state 3 respiration rate and membrane potential. 100 nM 17beta-estradiol and 4-hydroxytamoxifen blocked high calcium-induced cytochrome c release from mitochondria but not mitochondrial swelling. Thus, at physiological concentrations estrogens do not affect mitochondrial respiratory functions but protect heart mitochondria from high calcium-induced release of cytochrome c.
Morkuniene
Ramune
R
Institute for Biomedical Research, Kaunas University of Medicine, LT-3007 Kaunas, Lithuania.
Jekabsone
Aiste
A
Borutaite
Vilmante
V
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D003574:Cytochrome c Group / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D008929:Mitochondria, Heart / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D033681:Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins; D000083162:Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000819:agonists; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology
D003574:Cytochrome c Group; D004967:Estrogens; D007473:Ion Channels; D033681:Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins; D000083162:Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D013629:Tamoxifen; C016601:afimoxifene; D004958:Estradiol; D002118:Calcium