Structural changes and peculiarity of oxidative phosphorylation in liver mitochondria of rat strain oxys

Ultrastructural analysis of hepatocytes of the rat strain OXYS has revealed the pronounced vacuolation of mitochondria and destruction of crists, followed by the significant changes in respiratory chain. The rate of generation of free oxygen radicals (O-2(-) and H2O2) in this strain was lower than in rat strain Wistar. This difference was the highest in elder rats. The liver mitochondria of these rats have low magnitude of transmembrane potential. Respiration in the metabolic state 3 and in the uncoupling one, the respiratory control, and the phosphorylation rate were also decreased. These values and ratio ADP/O became even lower when affected by apo C-III. The inhibitory effect of apo C-III on oxidative phosphorylation in liver mitochondria of rat strain OXYS was developed under lower doze, compared to rat strain Wistar. The influence of apo A-I wasn't revealed in rats of both strains. It is supposed that structural and functional changes in liver mitochondria of rat strain OXYS are not caused by the direct damaging effect of hydroperoxide on structural components of mitochondria, but resulted from accumulation of mutations in mitochondrial DNA.