Mitochondrial permeability transition in hepatocytes induced by t-BuOOH: NAD(P)H and reactive oxygen species

Confocal microscopy was utilized to determine the biological significance of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) on the progression of oxidant injury in isolated rodent hepatocytes. The biphasic Oxidation of pyrimidine nucleotides and mitochondrial synthesis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was induced in isolated hepatocytes by the administration of tert-butylhydroperoxide. However, attenuation of the second phase oxidation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate and ROS synthesis inhibited the onset of MPT and cell death in hepatocytes.