Mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury but volatile anesthetics (VA) may alter mitochondrial function to trigger cardioprotection. We hypothesized that the VA isoflurane (ISO) mediates cardioprotection in part by altering the function of several respiratory and transport proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos). To test this we used fluorescence spectrophotometry to measure the effects of ISO (0, 0.5, 1, 2 mM) on the time-course of interlinked mitochondrial bioenergetic variables during states 2, 3 and 4 respiration in the presence of either complex I substrate K+-pyruvate/malate (PM) or complex II substrate K+-succinate (SUC) at physiological levels of extra-matrix free Ca2+ (~200 nM) and Na+ (10 mM). To mimic ISO effects on mitochondrial functions and to clearly delineate the possible ISO targets, the observed actions of ISO were interpreted by comparing effects of ISO to those elicited by low concentrations of inhibitors that act at each respiratory complex, e.g. rotenone (ROT) at complex I or antimycin A (AA) at complex III. Our conclusions are based primarily on the similar responses of ISO and titrated concentrations of ETC inhibitors during state 3. We found that with the substrate PM, ISO and ROT similarly decreased the magnitude of state 3 NADH oxidation and increased the duration of state 3 NADH oxidation, ΔΨm depolarization, and respiration in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas with substrate SUC, ISO and ROT decreased the duration of state 3 NADH oxidation, ΔΨm depolarization and respiration. Unlike AA, ISO reduced the magnitude of state 3 NADH oxidation with PM or SUC as substrate. With substrate SUC, after complete block of complex I with ROT, ISO and AA similarly increased the duration of state 3 ΔΨm depolarization and respiration. This study provides a mechanistic understanding in how ISO alters mitochondrial function in a way that may lead to cardioprotection.

Mitochondria are critical modulators of cell function and are increasingly recognized as proximal sensors and effectors that ultimately determine the balance between cell survival and cell death. Volatile anesthetics (VA) are long known for their cardioprotective effects, as demonstrated by improved mitochondrial and cellular functions, and by reduced necrotic and apoptotic cell death during cardiac ischemia and reperfusion (IR) injury. The molecular mechanisms by which VA impart cardioprotection are still poorly understood. Because of the emerging role of mitochondria as therapeutic targets in diseases, including ischemic heart disease, it is important to know if VA-induced cytoprotective mechanisms are mediated at the mitochondrial level. In recent years, considerable evidence points to direct effects of VA on mitochondrial channel/transporter protein functions and electron transport chain (ETC) complexes as potential targets in mediating cardioprotection. This review furnishes an integrated overview of targets that VA impart on mitochondrial channels/transporters and ETC proteins that could provide a basis for cation regulation and homeostasis, mitochondrial bioenergetics, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) emission in redox signaling for cardiac cell protection during IR injury.

Modulation of mitochondrial free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]m) is implicated as one of the possible upstream factors that initiates anesthetic-mediated cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. To unravel possible mechanisms by which volatile anesthetics modulate [Ca2+]m and mitochondrial bioenergetics, with implications for cardioprotection, experiments were conducted to spectrofluorometrically measure concentration-dependent effects of isoflurane (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 mM) on the magnitudes and time-courses of [Ca2+]m and mitochondrial redox state (NADH), membrane potential (ΔΨm), respiration, and matrix volume. Isolated mitochondria from rat hearts were energized with 10 mM Na+- or K+-pyruvate/malate (NaPM or KPM) or Na+-succinate (NaSuc) followed by additions of isoflurane, 0.5 mM CaCl2 (≈200 nM free Ca2+ with 1 mM EGTA buffer), and 250 mM ADP. Isoflurane stepwise: (a) increased [Ca2+]m in state 2 with NaPM, but not with KPM substrate, despite an isoflurane-induced slight fall in ΔΨm and a mild matrix expansion, and (b) decreased NADH oxidation, respiration, ΔΨm, and matrix volume in state 3, while prolonging the duration of state 3 NADH oxidation, respiration, ΔΨm, and matrix contraction with PM substrates. These findings suggest that isoflurane's effects are mediated in part at the mitochondrial level: (1) to enhance the net rate of state 2 Ca2+ uptake by inhibiting the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCE), independent of changes in ΔΨm and matrix volume, and (2) to decrease the rates of state 3 electron transfer and ADP phosphorylation by inhibiting complex I. These direct effects of isoflurane to increase [Ca2+]m, while depressing NCE activity and oxidative phosphorylation, could underlie the mechanisms by which isoflurane provides cardioprotection against IR injury at the mitochondrial level.

ATP, the 'universal biological energy currency', is synthesized by utilizing energy either from oxidation of fuels or from light, via the process of oxidative and photo-phosphorylation respectively. The process is mediated by the enzyme F(1)F(0)-ATP synthase, using the free energy of ion gradients in the final energy catalyzing step, i.e., the synthesis of ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate (P(i)). The details of the molecular mechanism of ATP synthesis are among the most important fundamental issues in biology and hence need to be properly understood. In this work, a role for anions in making ATP has been found. New experimental data has been reported on the inhibition of ATP synthesis at nanomolar concentrations by the potent, specific anion channel blockers 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2, 2'-disulphonic acid (DIDS) and tributyltin chloride (TBTCl). Based on these inhibition studies, attention has been drawn to anion translocation (in addition to proton translocation) as a requirement for ATP synthesis. The type of inhibition has been quantified and an overall kinetic scheme for mixed inhibition that explains the data has been evolved. The experimental data and the type of inhibition found have been interpreted in the light of the torsional mechanism of energy transduction and ATP synthesis (Nath J Bioenerg Biomembr 42:293-300, 2010a; J Bioenerg Biomembr 42:301-309, 2010b). This detailed and unified mechanism resolves long-standing problems and inconsistencies in the first theories (Slater Nature 172:975-978, 1953; Williams J Theor Biol 1:1-17, 1961; Mitchell Nature 191:144-148, 1961; Mitchell Biol Rev 41:445-502, 1966), makes several novel predictions that are experimentally verifiable (Nath Biophys J 90:8-21, 2006a; Process Biochem 41:2218-2235, 2006b), and provides us with a new and fruitful paradigm in bioenergetics. The interpretation presented here provides intelligent answers to the unexplained existing results in the literature. It is shown that mechanistic interpretation of the experimental data requires substantial addition to available conceptual foundations such that present concepts, theories, and mechanisms must be revised.

No abstract

Volatile anesthetics protect against cardiac ischemia/perfusion (IR) injury. Excess mitochondrial free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]m) is a major cause of mitochondria ‐mediated IR injury. To better understand mechanisms of anesthetic ‐mediated protection of mitochondrial function, we monitored time courses of NADH redox state, respiration, ΔΨm, and matrix Ca2+ uptake/efflux kinetics during anesthetic exposure. Isolated mitochondria from rat hearts were energized with 10 mM Na+‐or K+‐pyruvate+malate, or with Na+‐succinate followed by isoflurane (0.5 to 2 mM), CaCl2 (≈ 200 nM free Ca2+), and ADP (250 μM). Our data showed that isoflurane: (a) increased [Ca2+]m despite ΔΨm depolarization, while decreasing Na+‐dependent Ca2+ efflux (NCE), (b) decreased state 3 NADH oxidation and increased state 3 duration with Na+‐pyruvate/malate, but c) caused no change in state 3 NADH oxidation but reduced state 3 duration with Na+‐succinate. These data indicate that isoflurane (1) increases [Ca2+]m by attenuating activity of NCE and, (2) decreases the rate of ADP phosphorylation while reducing the duration of state 3 respiration by attenuating complex I activity. Isoflurane's effects on inhibiting NCE and complex I together may act as the protective mechanism against IR injury at the mitochondrial level.

An alkalophilc and thermophilic Bacillus sp. BHA that produced a thermostable alkaline protease was isolated from decaying protein substrates. The isolate was found to grow in pH range 7 -11 with an optimum pH 9.0 and temperature up to 55˚C. The activity of alkaline protease of Bacillus sp. BHA (68.98 APU/ml) was found higher than the standard strains of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MTCC 610 (8.98 APU/ml) and Bacillus subtilis MTCC 8349 (12.14 APU/ml, used in this study, and was comparable (68.98 APU/ml, equivalent to 30.38 APU/mg) to the activity of the commercially produced standard protease procured from Novo Nordisk, Denmark (30.35 APU/mg). Hence, the proteolytic activity produced by this isolate was further investigated in batch and fed-batch process. Sucrose was the best carbon source for the production of protease activity by that isolate. Different organic nitrogen sources (casein, peptone and beef extract) at 1% (w/v) with varying levels of sucrose (1% -4% w/v) initially repress enzyme synthesis. The duration and extent of repression decreased with increased concentration of sucrose. Maximum protease activity was found in basal medium with 4% (w/v) sucrose and 1% (w/v) yeast extract. Yeast-extract was thought to be an inducer of enzyme synthesis. Further, the basal medium was unique with respect to the enzyme production, as protease production was growth associated with the peak enzyme production being detected at the time of maximum growth. Interestingly, a rise in 34.2% (104.86 APU/ml) of protease activity was detected at incubation temperature of 50˚C and when culture filtrate was assayed at 60˚C, signifying a high temperature stability of the produced protease by this isolate. Additional studies on the enzyme characterization were resulted in recognition of highly significant properties of the activity towards casein at pH 9.0 and stability at high temperature with retention of 96% the enzyme activity at 60˚C. The parametric study under feed intervals had enabled improvement in the maximum protease activities attainable from batch cultures in excess of 21.78% and 26.32% via two feeding strategies. A small continual increase in enzyme activity (132.46 APU/ml during 24 h -120 h) and enhancement in protease production in excess of 36.84% was observed by fed-batch process than the batch experiment.

No abstract