Cyclosporin A induces closure of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. We aimed to investigate whether this closure results in concomitant increases in mitochondrial membrane potential (DW m ) and the production of reactive oxygen species. Fluorescent probes were used to assess DW m (JC-1, 5,5¢,6,6¢-tetrachloro-1,1¢,3,3¢-tetraethyl-benzimidazolyl-carbocyanine iodide), reactive oxygen species [DCF,[5][6]in human kidney cells (HK-2 cells) and in a line of human small cell carcinoma cells (GLC4 cells), because these do not express cyclosporin A-sensitive P-glycoprotein. We used transfected GLC4 cells expressing P-glycoprotein as control for GLC4 cells. NIM811 (N-methyl-4-isoleucinecyclosporin) and PSC833 (SDZ-PSC833) were applied as selective mitochondrial permeability transition pore and P-glycoprotein blockers, respectively. To study the effect of cyclosporin A on mitochondrial function, we isolated mitochondria from fresh pig livers. Cyclosporin A and PSC833 induced a more than two-fold increase in JC-1 fluorescence in HK-2 cells, whereas NIM811 had no effect. None of the three substances induced a significant increase in JC-1 fluorescence in GLC4 cells. Despite this, cyclosporin A, NIM811 and PSC833 induced a 1.5-fold increase in DCF fluorescence (P < 0.05) and a two-fold increase in Fluo-3 fluorescence (P < 0.05). Studies in isolated mitochondria showed that blockage of mitochondrial permeability transition pores by cyclosporin A affected neither DW m , ATP synthesis, nor respiration rate. The mitochondrial permeability transition pore blockers cyclosporin A and NIM811, but also the non-mitochondrial permeability transition pore blocker PSC833, induced comparable degrees of reactive oxygen species production and cytosolic [Ca 2+ ]. Neither mitochondria, effects on P-glycoprotein nor inhibition of