Abstract
The effect of Janus green B was investigated on respiration and oxidative phosphorylation of isolated rat liver mitochondria with and without magnesium ions. Janus green B in medium with magnesium ions stimulated state 4-respiration, inhibited oxidative phosphorylation and induced swelling of the mitochondrial matrix. This dye also suppressed the arsenate-and calcium-stimulated respiration of mitochondria. Such disturbances of mitochondrial function by Janus green B were rarely observed in the absence of magnesium ions. It can be concluded that the swelling of mitochondria and the inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation by Janus green B were clearly related to magnesium ions.
