The Effect of [alpha]-Tocopheryl Succinate on Succinate Respiration in Rat Liver Mitochondria

We compared the effect of α-tocopheryl succinate (TOS) on succinate-dependent respiration in rat liver mitochondria, homogenate and permeabilized hepatocytes in both a coupled and uncoupled state. In isolated mitochondria, a significant inhibitory effect was observed at a concentration of 5 µM, in liver homogenate at 25 µM and in permeabilized hepatocytes at 50 µM. The inhibitory effect of TOS on succinate respiration in an uncoupled state was less pronounced than in a coupled state in all the experimental models tested. When the concentration dependence of the TOS inhibitory effect was tested, the most sensitive in both states were isolated mitochondria; the most resistant were permeabilized hepatocytes.