Kinetic Modeling of the Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism of Neuronal Cells: The Impact of Reduced α-Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase Activities on ATP Production and Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species

AMPK Signaling Pathway as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons. Genetic factors, inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, metabolic disorders, cytotoxic factors, and mitochondrial dysfunction are all involved in neuronal death in neurodegenerative diseases. The risk of PD can be higher in aging individuals due to decreased mitochondrial function, energy metabolism, and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) function. The potential of AMPK to regulate neurodegenerative disorders lies in its ability to enhance antioxidant capacity, reduce oxidative stress, improve mitochondrial function, decrease mitophagy and macroautophagy, and inhibit inflammation. In addition, it has been shown that modulating the catalytic activity of AMPK can protect the nervous system. This article reviews the mechanisms by which AMPK activation can modulate PD.

A reversible state of hypometabolism in a human cellular model of sporadic Parkinson's disease

Sporadic Parkinson's Disease (sPD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by multiple genetic and environmental factors. Mitochondrial dysfunction is one contributing factor, but its role at different stages of disease progression is not fully understood. Here, we showed that neural precursor cells and dopaminergic neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) from sPD patients exhibited a hypometabolism. Further analysis based on transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics identified the citric acid cycle, specifically the α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (OGDHC), as bottleneck in sPD metabolism. A follow-up study of the patients approximately 10 years after initial biopsy demonstrated a correlation between OGDHC activity in our cellular model and the disease progression. In addition, the alterations in cellular metabolism observed in our cellular model were restored by interfering with the enhanced SHH signal transduction in sPD. Thus, inhibiting overactive SHH signaling may have potential as neuroprotective therapy during early stages of sPD.

Metabolic implications of axonal demyelination and its consequences for synchronized network activity: An in silico and in vitro study

Myelination enhances the conduction velocity of action potentials (AP) and increases energy efficiency. Thick myelin sheaths are typically found on large-distance axonal connections or in fast-spiking interneurons, which are critical for synchronizing neuronal networks during gamma-band oscillations. Loss of myelin sheath is associated with multiple alterations in axonal architecture leading to impaired AP propagation. While numerous studies are devoted to the effects of demyelination on conduction velocity, the metabolic effects and the consequences for network synchronization have not been investigated. Here we present a unifying computational model for electrophysiology and metabolism of the myelinated axon. The computational model suggested that demyelination not only decreases the AP speed but AP propagation in demyelinated axons requires compensatory processes like mitochondrial mass increase and a switch from saltatory to continuous propagation to rescue axon functionality at the cost of reduced AP propagation speed and increased energy expenditure. Indeed, these predictions were proven to be true in a culture model of demyelination where the pharmacologically-induced loss of myelin was associated with increased oxygen consumption rates, and a significant broadening of bandwidth as well as a decrease in the power of gamma oscillations.

Mechanistic multiscale modelling of energy metabolism in human astrocytes reveals the impact of morphology changes in Alzheimer's Disease

Astrocytes with their specialised morphology are essential for brain homeostasis as metabolic mediators between blood vessels and neurons. In neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), astrocytes adopt reactive profiles with molecular and morphological changes that could lead to the impairment of their metabolic support and impact disease progression. However, the underlying mechanisms of how the metabolic function of human astrocytes is impaired by their morphological changes in AD are still elusive. To address this challenge, we developed and applied a metabolic multiscale modelling approach integrating the dynamics of metabolic energy pathways and physiological astrocyte morphologies acquired in human AD and age-matched control brain samples. The results demonstrate that the complex cell shape and intracellular organisation of energetic pathways determine the metabolic profile and support capacity of astrocytes in health and AD conditions. Thus, our mechanistic approach indicates the importance of spatial orchestration in metabolism and allows for the identification of protective mechanisms against disease-associated metabolic impairments.

Inosine attenuates rotenone-induced Parkinson's disease in rats by alleviating the imbalance between autophagy and apoptosis

Growing evidence points to impaired autophagy as one of the major factors implicated in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). Autophagy is a downstream target of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Inosine has already demonstrated a neuroprotective effect against neuronal loss in neurodegenerative diseases, mainly due its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. We, herein, aimed at investigating the neuroprotective effects of inosine against rotenone-induced PD in rats and to focus on the activation of AMPK-mediated autophagy. Inosine successfully increased p-AMPK/AMPK ratio in PD rats and improved their motor performance and muscular co-ordination (assessed by rotarod, open field, and grip strength tests, as well as by manual gait analysis). Furthermore, inosine was able to mitigate the rotenone-induced histopathological alterations and to restore the tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in PD rats' substantia nigra. Inosine-induced AMPK activation resulted in an autophagy enhancement, as demonstrated by the increased striatal Unc-S1-like kinase1 and beclin-1 expression, and also by the increment light chain 3II to light chain 3I ratio, along with the decline in striatal mammalian target of rapamycin and p62 protein expressions. The inosine-induced stimulation of AMPK also attenuated neuronal apoptosis and promoted antioxidant activity. Unsurprisingly, these neuroprotective effects were antagonized by a preadministration of dorsomorphin (an AMPK inhibitor). In conclusion, inosine exerted neuroprotective effects against the rotenone-induced neuronal loss via an AMPK activation and through the restoration of the imbalance between autophagy and apoptosis. These findings support potential application of inosine in PD treatment.

P2X7 Receptor and Purinergic Signaling: Orchestrating Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the basic hallmarks of cellular pathology in neurodegenerative diseases. Since the metabolic activity of neurons is highly dependent on energy supply, nerve cells are especially vulnerable to impaired mitochondrial function. Besides providing oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondria are also involved in controlling levels of second messengers such as Ca2+ ions and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Interestingly, the critical role of mitochondria as producers of ROS is closely related to P2XR purinergic receptors, the activity of which is modulated by free radicals. Here, we review the relationships between the purinergic signaling system and affected mitochondrial function. Purinergic signaling regulates numerous vital biological processes in the CNS. The two main purines, ATP and adenosine, act as excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, respectively. Current evidence suggests that purinergic signaling best explains how neuronal activity is related to neuronal electrical activity and energy homeostasis, especially in the development of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. In this review, we focus on the mechanisms underlying the involvement of the P2RX7 purinoreceptor in triggering mitochondrial dysfunction during the development of neurodegenerative disorders. We also summarize various avenues by which the purine signaling pathway may trigger metabolic dysfunction contributing to neuronal death and the inflammatory activation of glial cells. Finally, we discuss the potential role of the purinergic system in the search for new therapeutic approaches to treat neurodegenerative diseases.

Queueing theory model of Krebs cycle

MOTIVATION

Queueing theory can be effective in simulating biochemical reactions taking place in living cells, and the article paves a step toward development of a comprehensive model of cell metabolism. Such a model could help to accelerate and reduce costs for developing and testing investigational drugs reducing number of laboratory animals needed to evaluate drugs.

RESULTS

The article presents a Krebs cycle model based on queueing theory. The model allows for tracking of metabolites concentration changes in real time. To validate the model, a drug-induced inhibition affecting activity of enzymes involved in Krebs cycle was simulated and compared with available experimental data.

AVAILABILITYAND IMPLEMENTATION

The source code is freely available for download at https://github.com/UTP-WTIiE/KrebsCycleUsingQueueingTheory, implemented in C# supported in Linux or MS Windows.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Interplay between bioenergetics and oxidative stress at normal brain aging. Aging as a result of increasing disbalance in the system oxidative stress-energy provision

At normal aging, the brain exhibits signs of compromised bioenergetic and increased levels of products of interaction between reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) and brain constituents. Under normal conditions, steady-state levels of ATP and ROS/RNS fluctuate in certain ranges providing basis for stable homeostasis. However, from time to time these parameters leave a "comfort zone," and at adulthood, organisms are able to cope with these challenges efficiently, whereas at aging, efficiency of the systems maintaining homeostasis declines. That is very true for the brain due to high ATP demands which are mainly covered by mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Such active oxidative metabolism gives rise to intensive ROS generation as side products. The situation is worsened by high brain level of polyunsaturated fatty acids which are substrates for ROS/RNS attack and production of lipid peroxides. In this review, organization of energetic metabolism in the brain with a focus on its interplay with ROS at aging is discussed. The working hypothesis on aging as a disbalance between oxidative stress and energy provision as a reason for brain aging is proposed. From this point of view, normal age-related physiological decline in the brain functions results from increased disbalance between decrease in capability of the brain to control constantly increased incapability to maintain ROS levels and produce ATP due to amplification of vicious cycles intensification of oxidative stress <----> impairment of energy provision.

Possible neurotoxicity of the anesthetic propofol: evidence for the inhibition of complex II of the respiratory chain in area CA3 of rat hippocampal slices

Propofol is the most frequently used intravenous anesthetic for induction and maintenance of anesthesia. Propofol acts first and formost as a GABA_A-agonist, but effects on other neuronal receptors and voltage-gated ion channels have been described. Besides its direct effect on neurotransmission, propofol-dependent impairment of mitochondrial function in neurons has been suggested to be responsible for neurotoxicity and postoperative brain dysfunction. To clarify the potential neurotoxic effect in more detail, we investigated the effects of propofol on neuronal energy metabolism of hippocampal slices of the stratum pyramidale of area CA3 at different activity states. We combined oxygen-measurements, electrophysiology and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-imaging with computational modeling to uncover molecular targets in mitochondrial energy metabolism that are directly inhibited by propofol. We found that high concentrations of propofol (100 µM) significantly decrease population spikes, paired pulse ratio, the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption (CMRO₂), frequency and power of gamma oscillations and increase FAD-oxidation. Model-based simulation of mitochondrial FAD redox state at inhibition of different respiratory chain (RC) complexes and the pyruvate-dehydrogenase show that the alterations in FAD-autofluorescence during propofol administration can be explained with a strong direct inhibition of the complex II (cxII) of the RC. While this inhibition may not affect ATP availability under normal conditions, it may have an impact at high energy demand. Our data support the notion that propofol may lead to neurotoxicity and neuronal dysfunction by directly affecting the energy metabolism in neurons.

Targeting AMPK Signaling as a Neuroprotective Strategy in Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. It is characterized by the accumulation of intracellular α-synuclein aggregates and the degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. While no treatment strategy has been proven to slow or halt the progression of the disease, there is mounting evidence from preclinical PD models that activation of 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) may have broad neuroprotective effects. Numerous dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals (e.g., metformin) that increase AMPK activity are available for use in humans, but clinical studies of their effects in PD patients are limited. AMPK is an evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine kinase that is activated by falling energy levels and functions to restore cellular energy balance. However, in response to certain cellular stressors, AMPK activation may exacerbate neuronal atrophy and cell death. This review describes the regulation and functions of AMPK, evaluates the controversies in the field, and assesses the potential of targeting AMPK signaling as a neuroprotective treatment for PD.

Event-Associated Oxygen Consumption Rate Increases ca. Five-Fold When Interictal Activity Transforms into Seizure-Like Events In Vitro

Neuronal injury due to seizures may result from a mismatch of energy demand and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis. However, ATP demand and oxygen consumption rates have not been accurately determined, yet, for different patterns of epileptic activity, such as interictal and ictal events. We studied interictal-like and seizure-like epileptiform activity induced by the GABA_A antagonist bicuculline alone, and with co-application of the M-current blocker XE-991, in rat hippocampal slices. Metabolic changes were investigated based on recording partial oxygen pressure, extracellular potassium concentration, and intracellular flavine adenine dinucleotide (FAD) redox potential. Recorded data were used to calculate oxygen consumption and relative ATP consumption rates, cellular ATP depletion, and changes in FAD/FADH₂ ratio by applying a reactive-diffusion and a two compartment metabolic model. Oxygen-consumption rates were ca. five times higher during seizure activity than interictal activity. Additionally, ATP consumption was higher during seizure activity (~94% above control) than interictal activity (~15% above control). Modeling of FAD transients based on partial pressure of oxygen recordings confirmed increased energy demand during both seizure and interictal activity and predicted actual FAD autofluorescence recordings, thereby validating the model. Quantifying metabolic alterations during epileptiform activity has translational relevance as it may help to understand the contribution of energy supply and demand mismatches to seizure-induced injury.

The biological foundation of the genetic association of TOMM40 with late-onset Alzheimer's disease

A variable-length poly-T variant in intron 6 of the TOMM40 gene, rs10524523, is associated with risk and age-of-onset of sporadic (late-onset) Alzheimer's disease. In Caucasians, the three predominant alleles at this locus are Short (S), Long (L) or Very long (VL). On an APOE ε3/3 background, the S/VL and VL/VL genotypes are more protective than S/S. The '523 poly-T has regulatory properties, in that the VL poly-T results in higher expression than the S poly-T in luciferase expression systems. The aim of the current work was to identify effects on cellular bioenergetics of increased TOM40 protein expression. MitoTracker Green fluorescence and autophagic vesicle staining was the same in control and over-expressing cells, but TOM40 over-expression was associated with increased expression of TOM20, a preprotein receptor of the TOM complex, the mitochondrial chaperone HSPA9, and PDHE1a, and increased activities of the oxidative phosphorylation complexes I and IV and of the TCA member α-ketoglutaric acid dehydrogenase. Consistent with the complex I findings, respiration was more sensitive to inhibition by rotenone in control cells than in the TOM40 over-expressing cells. In the absence of inhibitors, total cellular ATP, the mitochondrial membrane potential, and respiration were elevated in the over-expressing cells. Spare respiratory capacity was greater in the TOM40 over-expressing cells than in the controls. TOM40 over-expression blocked Ab-elicited decreases in the mitochondrial membrane potential, cellular ATP levels, and cellular viability in the control cells. These data suggest elevated expression of TOM40 may be protective of mitochondrial function.

The Impact of Mathematical Modeling in Understanding the Mechanisms Underlying Neurodegeneration: Evolving Dimensions and Future Directions

Neurodegenerative diseases are a heterogeneous group of disorders that are characterized by the progressive dysfunction and loss of neurons. Here, we distil and discuss the current state of modeling in the area of neurodegeneration, and objectively compare the gaps between existing clinical knowledge and the mechanistic understanding of the major pathological processes implicated in neurodegenerative disorders. We also discuss new directions in the field of neurodegeneration that hold potential for furthering therapeutic interventions and strategies.

Ganoderma Lucidum polysaccharides protect against MPP(+) and rotenone-induced apoptosis in primary dopaminergic cell cultures through inhibiting oxidative stress

Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the progressive neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD) which is responsible for disabling motor abnormalities in more than 6.5 million people worldwide. Polysaccharides are the main active constituents from Ganoderma lucidum which is characterized with anti-oxidant, antitumor and immunostimulant properties. In the present study, primary dopaminergic cell cultures prepared from embryonic mouse mesencephala were used to investigate the neuroprotective effects and the potential mechanisms of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLP) on the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons induced by the neurotoxins methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP(+)) and rotenone. Results revealed that GLP can protect dopamine neurons against MPP(+) and rotenone at the concentrations of 100, 50 and 25 μg/ml in primary mesencephalic cultures in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, either with or without neurotoxin treatment, GLP treatment elevated the survival of THir neurons, and increased the length of neurites of dopaminergic neurons. The Trolox equivalent anti-oxidant capacity (TEAC) of GLP was determined to be 199.53 μmol Trolox/g extract, and the decrease of mitochondrial complex I activity induced by MPP(+) and rotenone was elevated by GLP treatment (100, 50, 25 and 12.5 μg/ml) in a dose dependent manner. Furthermore, GLP dramatically decreased the relative number of apoptotic cells and increased the declining mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) induced by MPP(+) and rotenone in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, GLP treatment reduced the ROS formation induced by MPP(+) and rotenone at the concentrations of 100, 50 and 25 μg/ml in a dose-dependent manner. Our study indicates that GLP possesses neuroprotective properties against MPP(+) and rotenone neurotoxicity through suppressing oxidative stress in primary mesencephalic dopaminergic cell culture owning to its antioxidant activities.

Comparative Proteomic Identification of Mature and Immature Sperm in the Catfish Cranoglanis bouderius

To understand the molecular responses of mature and immature sperm in the catfish Cranoglanis bouderius, we used the iTRAQ proteomics approach to perform proteomic profiling of spermatogenesis in C. bouderius. As a result, 1,941 proteins were identified, including 361 differentially expressed proteins, 157 upregulated proteins and 204 downregulated proteins in mature sperm relative to immature sperm. All of the identified proteins were categorized into seven types of subcellular localizations and three molecular functions and were found to be involved in nine biological processes. All of the differential proteins were involved in 235 different pathways. Moreover, we found that the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) pathway played an important role in the energy metabolism of sperm and that the EABB pathway was involved in the mechanism of spermatogenesis. Our study is the first to use the iTRAQ-based proteomic approach to analyze the catfish sperm proteome, and the results we obtained using this approach are valuable for understanding the molecular mechanisms of fish spermatogenesis.

Mathematical Modeling of Cellular Metabolism

Cellular metabolism basically consists of the conversion of chemical compounds taken up from the extracellular environment into energy (conserved in energy-rich bonds of organic phosphates) and a wide array of organic molecules serving as catalysts (enzymes), information carriers (nucleic acids), and building blocks for cellular structures such as membranes or ribosomes. Metabolic modeling aims at the construction of mathematical representations of the cellular metabolism that can be used to calculate the concentration of cellular molecules and the rates of their mutual chemical interconversion in response to varying external conditions as, for example, hormonal stimuli or supply of essential nutrients. Based on such calculations, it is possible to quantify complex cellular functions as cellular growth, detoxification of drugs and xenobiotic compounds or synthesis of exported molecules. Depending on the specific questions to metabolism addressed, the methodological expertise of the researcher, and available experimental information, different conceptual frameworks have been established, allowing the usage of computational methods to condense experimental information from various layers of organization into (self-) consistent models. Here, we briefly outline the main conceptual frameworks that are currently exploited in metabolism research.

Refined elasticity sampling for Monte Carlo-based identification of stabilizing network patterns

Motivation: Structural kinetic modelling (SKM) is a framework to analyse whether a metabolic steady state remains stable under perturbation, without requiring detailed knowledge about individual rate equations. It provides a representation of the system’s Jacobian matrix that depends solely on the network structure, steady state measurements, and the elasticities at the steady state. For a measured steady state, stability criteria can be derived by generating a large number of SKMs with randomly sampled elasticities and evaluating the resulting Jacobian matrices. The elasticity space can be analysed statistically in order to detect network positions that contribute significantly to the perturbation response. Here, we extend this approach by examining the kinetic feasibility of the elasticity combinations created during Monte Carlo sampling.

Results: Using a set of small example systems, we show that the majority of sampled SKMs would yield negative kinetic parameters if they were translated back into kinetic models. To overcome this problem, a simple criterion is formulated that mitigates such infeasible models. After evaluating the small example pathways, the methodology was used to study two steady states of the neuronal TCA cycle and the intrinsic mechanisms responsible for their stability or instability. The findings of the statistical elasticity analysis confirm that several elasticities are jointly coordinated to control stability and that the main source for potential instabilities are mutations in the enzyme alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase.

Contact:dorothee.childs@embl.de

Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Physiology-based kinetic modeling of neuronal energy metabolism unravels the molecular basis of NAD(P)H fluorescence transients

Imaging of the cellular fluorescence of the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) (NAD(P)H) is one of the few metabolic readouts that enable noninvasive and time-resolved monitoring of the functional status of mitochondria in neuronal tissues. Stimulation-induced transient changes in NAD(P)H fluorescence intensity frequently display a biphasic characteristic that is influenced by various molecular processes, e.g., intracellular calcium dynamics, tricarboxylic acid cycle activity, the malate-aspartate shuttle, the glycerol-3-phosphate shuttle, oxygen supply or adenosine triphosphate (ATP) demand. To evaluate the relative impact of these processes, we developed and validated a detailed physiologic mathematical model of the energy metabolism of neuronal cells and used the model to simulate metabolic changes of single cells and tissue slices under different settings of stimulus-induced activity and varying nutritional supply of glucose, pyruvate or lactate. Notably, all experimentally determined NAD(P)H responses could be reproduced with one and the same generic cellular model. Our computations reveal that (1) cells with quite different metabolic status may generate almost identical NAD(P)H responses and (2) cells of the same type may quite differently contribute to aggregate NAD(P)H responses recorded in brain slices, depending on the spatial location within the tissue. Our computational approach reconciles different and sometimes even controversial experimental findings and improves our mechanistic understanding of the metabolic changes underlying live-cell NAD(P)H fluorescence transients.

Modeling the respiratory chain complexes with biothermokinetic equations - the case of complex I

The mitochondrial respiratory chain plays a crucial role in energy metabolism and its dysfunction is implicated in a wide range of human diseases. In order to understand the global expression of local mutations in the rate of oxygen consumption or in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) it is useful to have a mathematical model in which the changes in a given respiratory complex are properly modeled. Our aim in this paper is to provide thermodynamics respecting and structurally simple equations to represent the kinetics of each isolated complexes which can, assembled in a dynamical system, also simulate the behavior of the respiratory chain, as a whole, under a large set of different physiological and pathological conditions. On the example of the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH)-ubiquinol-oxidoreductase (complex I) we analyze the suitability of different types of rate equations. Based on our kinetic experiments we show that very simple rate laws, as those often used in many respiratory chain models, fail to describe the kinetic behavior when applied to a wide concentration range. This led us to adapt rate equations containing the essential parameters of enzyme kinetic, maximal velocities and Henri-Michaelis-Menten like-constants (KM and KI) to satisfactorily simulate these data.

Integrating pathways of Parkinson's disease in a molecular interaction map

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a major neurodegenerative chronic disease, most likely caused by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Information on various aspects of PD pathogenesis is rapidly increasing and needs to be efficiently organized, so that the resulting data is available for exploration and analysis. Here we introduce a computationally tractable, comprehensive molecular interaction map of PD. This map integrates pathways implicated in PD pathogenesis such as synaptic and mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired protein degradation, alpha-synuclein pathobiology and neuroinflammation. We also present bioinformatics tools for the analysis, enrichment and annotation of the map, allowing the research community to open new avenues in PD research. The PD map is accessible at http://minerva.uni.lu/pd_map .

Implications of enzyme deficiencies on mitochondrial energy metabolism and reactive oxygen species formation of neurons involved in rotenone-induced Parkinson's disease: a model-based analysis

Steadily growing experimental evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a key role in the age-dependent impairment of nerve cells underlying several neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, the citric acid cycle enzyme complex α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (KGDHC) and respiratory chain complex I of the respiratory chain often show reduced activities in the dopaminergic neurons involved in Parkinson's disease, both giving rise to an impaired mitochondrial energy metabolism as demonstrated in a number of in vitro studies with cell lines as well as isolated mitochondria. To understand the metabolic regulation underlying these experimental findings we used a detailed kinetic model of mitochondrial energy metabolism. First, we investigated the effect of complex I inhibition on energy production and formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Next, we applied the model to a situation where both KGDHC and complex I exhibit reduced activities. These calculations reveal synergistic effects with respect to the energy metabolism but antagonistic effects with respect to ROS formation: the drop in the ATP production capacity is more pronounced than at inhibition of either enzyme complex alone. Interestingly, however, the reduction state of the ROS-generating sites of the impaired complex I becomes significantly lowered if additionally the activity of the KGDHC is reduced. We discuss the pathophysiological consequences of these intriguing findings.