Effect of oxygen radicals on heart mitochondrial function in alpha-tocopherol deficient rabbits.

The mitochondria extracted from hearts of alpha-tocopherol deficient rabbits showed a decreased mitochondrial function and an increased formation of oxygen radicals associated with a decreased superoxide dismutase activity. The exposure of the alpha-tocopherol deficient mitochondria to exogeneous oxygen radicals caused a marked decrease in the mitochondrial function with respect to control mitochondria, which was partially reversed by the addition in vitro of alpha-tocopherol.