Sugar derivatives and liver mitochondria. II. Effect of beta-penta-O-acetyl-D-galactopyranose.

beta-penta-O-acetyl-D-galactopyranose stimulated succinate oxidation in intact liver mitochondria (100%), in broken mitochondria (50%) and in EP1 particles (20%), no effect was observed on purified succinic dehydrogenase. This compound enhances the oxidation of succinate in the presence of Ca2+ and ATP; no effect appeared in the absence of calcium. beta penta-O-acetyl-D-galactopyranose prevents the reversal of Ca2+-induced swelling by EGTA. It seems that this sugar derivative would act, in some way, in the efflux of calcium from mitochondria leading to an accumulation of this bivalent ion in the mitochondria.