Copper(II) and iron(III) ions inhibit respiration and increase free radical-mediated phospholipid peroxidation in rat liver mitochondria: Effect of antioxidants

Cu2+ and Fe3+ overloads produce respiratory inhibition and phospholipid peroxidation in mitochondria. While the HO
- formation by a Fenton/Haber-Weiss reaction is the responsible mechanism for Fe3+ cytotoxicity, Cu2+ also reacts with thiol groups and glutathione (GSH) since supplementation with GSH leads to full protection probably through formation of Cu(I)-(GSH)2 complexes.87