The effects of putative insulin mediators on the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activity of intact mitochondria isolated from rat liver were investigated. The mitochondria were judged intact on the basis of electron microscopic examination and demonstrated respiratory control. Only mitochondria having respiratory control ratios of greater than 4, using succinate as a substrate, were used in these studies. Addition of physiologic concentrations of insulin to these mitochondria caused stimulation of PDH activity, attributed to generation of an insulin mediator from plasma membranes contaminating the mitochondrial preparation. Exogenous plasma membranes from rat adipocytes or liver caused further stimulation of PDH activity, which was proportional to the amount of plasma membranes added. Addition of insulin to the mixture of mitochondria and plasma membranes stimulated PDH still further. The stimulation was proportional to the insulin concentration, with maximal effects observed at 50 microU/ml insulin. Partially purified mediators from liver, muscle, H4-II-E hepatoma cells, and IM9 lymphocytes also stimulated PDH activity in intact mitochondria. Mediators prepared from insulin-treated liver, muscle, and cultured hepatoma cells stimulated PDH more than did mediators from the corresponding untreated source. Mediator from insulin-treated IM9 lymphocytes stimulated PDH less than did mediator from untreated IM9 lymphocytes. These findings are consistent with the known effects of insulin on these tissues and with the reported effects of the various mediators on PDH activity in non-intact mitochondria. These observations support the proposal that these mediators are physiologically significant modulators of insulin's effects on PDH activity.