Our previous studies in iron-loaded rat heart cells showed that in vitro iron loading results in
peroxidative injury, manifested in a marked decrease in rate and amplitude of heart cell
contractility and rhythmicity, which is correctable by treatment with deferoxamine (DF). In the
present studies we explored the role of mitochondrial damage in myocardial iron toxicity.
Iron loading by 24-hour incubation with 0.36 mmol/L ferric ammonium citrate resulted in a
decrease in the activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH)-cytochrome c …