Mitochondrial Toxicity of Drugs

Abstract

Mitochondria are important targets of drug toxicity. A variety of drugs has been shown to affect the electron transport chain, coupling of oxidative phosphorylation, ?-oxidation or other mitochondrial functions. Such damaging events may lead to the opening of a large pore across the mitochondrial membranes – the membrane permeability transition pore – eventually leading to apoptosis or necrosis of cells, depending on the cellular ATP content. Such drugs may therefore lead to organ damage, particularly in the liver, kidney, heart or skeletal muscle.