Uncoupling activity of endogenous free fatty acids in rat liver mitochondria

Changes in the respiratory control index (RCI) and ADP:O ratio were found to be related to alterations in the free fatty acids levels of rat liver mitochondria aging in 0.2 M sucrose - Tris buffer at 0 °C. Free fatty acid levels increased with time after isolation of mitochondria while a concomitant decrease in the RCI and ADP:O ratio occurred. The changes in free fatty acid levels corresponded with the reported increasing levels of phospholipase A activity in aged mitochondrial preparations. Washing these mitochondria with sucrose buffer containing 1% defatted bovine serum albumin (BSA) counteracted the aging effect on the RCI (e.g., 2.5 to 3.5) and reduced the free fatty acid levels (e.g. 50 to 16 nmol/mg protein). This reversible phenomenon could be repeated several times during the in vitro aging at 0 °C. Use of ¹²⁵I-iodinated BSA showed that approximately 5 μg BSA/mg mitochondria was absorbed by the mitochondrial membranes during washing. These results indicate a direct correlation between the level of endogenous fatty acids and the uncoupling of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. The mechanism of counteracting the aging effect by BSA involves the removal of some of the free fatty acids.