Mitochondrial superoxide production contributes to vancomycin-induced renal tubular cell apoptosis

► Vancomycin chloride (VCM) causes apoptosis in LLC-PK1 cells by enhancing caspase activity. ► VCM induces depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane in LLC-PK1 cells. ► VCM-induced inactivation of mitochondrial complex I leads to superoxide production.