Objective: To explore the effect of plant growth regulator gibberellin on respiratory function of hepatocyte mitochondria in rats.
Methods: 24 SD male rats were randomly divided into a control group and three gibberellin groups, in which the rats were fed with the feedstuffs containing gibberellin of 0, 40, 16 and 640 mg/kg, respectively, for 35 days. Mitochondria were prepared from the rat livers. Mitochondrial membrane potentials were monitored by release of Rh123 from the mitochondria by 960MC fluorescence spectrometer. The activities of respiratory chain complexes were determined by an UV-7501 spectrophotometer. Oxygen consumptions were measured in a Clack-type oxygen electrode.
Results: The activities of Complex I, Complex III, Complex IV and state 3 respiratory rates increased significantly in the gibberellin groups as compared with those of the control group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Plant growth regulator gibberellin could promote mitochondria respiratory function of hepatocytes in rat.