Changes in the ability of ATP synthesis in the mitochondrial membrane in the rat liver injured by carbon tetrachloride.

We investigated the changes in the ability of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis in the inner mitochondrial membrane with the acute and chronic liver injuries by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. The ability of ATP synthesis was evaluated by measuring the activity of proton ATPase and the ability of oxygen consumption using isolated mitochondria. In the acute liver injury, the ability of ATP synthesis at 6 hr after injection was preserved relatively well in spite of hepatocyte injuries. On the other hand, at 12 hr after CCl4 injection, the necrosis of hepatocyte was widely recognized. In the chronic liver injury, severe fibrosis was induced but the ability of ATP synthesis was kept as well as that in the normal liver. These results suggest that the mitochondria have some resistivity against radicals produced by CCl4.