Carbonyl cyanide-4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone-induced toxicities in rats: comparative study with other mitochondrial uncouplers (2,4-dinitrophenol, OPC-163493 and tolcapone).

FCCP (carbonyl cyanide-4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone) is known to inhibit oxidative phosphorylation as a protonophore, dissipating the proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane. To understand the toxicity of FCCP, 3-day, 2- and 4-week repeated oral dose studies were performed in male rats. In the 3-day and 2-week repeated dose toxicity studies, observations included salivation, increased body temperature, and dead and moribund animals. Increased liver weight was observed in conjunction with hydropic degeneration and centrilobular necrosis of hepatocytes. In addition, pathological changes were observed in the pancreas, testis, epididymal duct, stomach and parotid gland. Electron microscopic examination revealed mitochondrial pleomorphism in the hepatocytes. Swelling of mitochondria was observed in the alpha cells and beta cells of the pancreas. Dilatation of rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi bodies and loss of secretory granules were also noted in the beta cells of the pancreas. FCCP was also compared with three other mUncouplers (DNP, OPC-163493 and tolcapone) with regard to in vitro mitochondrial uncoupling (mUncoupling) activities. FCCP produced the peak ΔOCR (oxygen consumption rate) at the lowest concentration (0.4 μM), followed by OPC-163493, tolcapone, and DNP, based on peak values in ascending order of concentration (2.5, 10, and 50 μM, respectively). Considering the relationship between the mUncoupling activity and toxicity profile of the four mUncouplers, there is no parallel relationship between the in vitro mUncoupling activity and the degree of in vivo toxicity. These findings may contribute to the efficient development of new mitochondrial uncoupler candidates.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43188-023-00189-x.