[In vitro effects of E. coli endotoxin on the membrane permeability and substrate transport of isolated rat liver mitochondria].

Incubation of freshly isolated rat liver mitochondria with E. coli endotoxin resulted in an increased inner membrane permeability for K+ and Cl- ions. This effect was not prevented by addition of the synthetic antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene. The carrier-mediated transport rates of phosphate, pyruvate, citrate and reducing equivalents via the malate-aspartate shuttle were not altered significantly by endotoxin. Therefore, the endotoxin-mediated impairment of mitochondrial respiration and oxidative phosphorylation could not be attributed to a decrease in transport capacities through the inner mitochondrial membrane.