PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF SAFRANINE ON THE MITOCHONDRIAL DAMAGE-INDUCED BYFE(II)CITRATE - COMPARATIVE-STUDY WITH TRIFLUOPERAZINE

In this study, we show that safranine at the concentrations usually em ployed as a probe of mitochondrial membrane potential significantly pr otects against the oxidative damage of mitochondria induced by Fe(II)c itrate. The effect of safranine was illustrated by experiments showing that this dye strongly inhibits both production of thiobarbituric aci d-reactive substances and membrane potential decrease when energized m itochondria were exposed to Fe(II)citrate in the presence of Ca2+ ions . Similar results were obtained with the lipophylic compound trifluope razine. It is proposed that, like trifluoperazine, safranine decreases the rate of lipid peroxidation due to its insertion in the membrane a ltering the physical state of the lipid phase.