Evaluation of electron-transfer flavoprotein and alpha-lipoamide dehydrogenase redox states by two-channel fluorimetry and its application to the investigation of beta-oxidation.

A new method permitting the simultaneous evaluation of the redox states of alpha-lipoamide dehydrogenase and electron-transfer flavoprotein in intact rat liver mitochondria by two-channel fluorimetry is described. It is shown that correction for the partial overlap of emission spectra can readily be introduced after a calibration procedure is performed. This method was applied to the investigation into regulation of palmitoylcarnitine oxidation. It was found that in the presence of rotenone, malonate and a redox buffer for the mitochondrial NAD-system, the beta-oxidation flux was sensitive to variations in redox state of respiratory chain electron carriers at low states of NAD reduction. Therefore, the concept of beta-oxidation control caused solely by the NAD redox state can no longer be sustained.