Different effects of SNP and GSNO on mitochondrial O2.−/H2O2 production

Sodium Nitroprusside (SNP) and S-Nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) differently affect mitochondrial H2O2 release at Complex-I. mM SNP increases while GSNO decreases the release induced by succinate alone or added on top of NAD-linked substrates. Stimulation likely depends on Nitric Oxide (.NO) (released by SNP but not by GSNO) inhibiting cytochrome oxidase and mitochondrial respiration. Preincubations with SNP or high GSNO (10 mM plus DTE to increases its .NO release) induces an inhibition of the succinate dependent H2O2 production consistent with a .NO dependent covalent modification. However maximal inhibition of the succinate dependent H2O2 release is obtained in the presence of low GSNO (20–100 μM), but not with SNP. This inhibition appears independent of .NO release since μM GSNO does not affect mitochondrial respiration, or the H2O2 detection systems and its effect is very rapid. Inhibition may be partly due to an increased removal of O2.− since GSNO chemically competes with NBT and cytochrome C in O2.− detection.