Chronic exposure to paraquat induces cortical and striatal mitochondrial dysfunction.

CZERNICZYNIEC, A.; BUSTAMANTE, J.; LORES ARNAIZ, S.

Huerta Grande

Congreso; Second Joint Meeting of the Argentine Society for Neuroscience and the Argentine Workshop in Neuroscience; 2010

Sociedad Argentina de Neurociencias

Paraquat (PQ) is a redox cycling agent capable of generating reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress. It has been described as a potential environmental neurotoxin associated with neurodegenerative diseases. As mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of chronic administration of PQ on cortical and striatal mitochondrial function. SD female rats received paraquat (10 mg/Kg i.p.) or saline once a week during a month. Results: State 4 oxygen consumption was increased by 55 and 74 % and state 3 oxygen consumption was decreased by 12% and 33% in cortical and striatal mitochondria from treated animals respectively. In addition, respiratory control of mitochondria from both brain areas decreased after PQ treatment. Evaluation of hydrogen peroxide production by cortical and striatal mitochondria from treated animals showed a significant increase of 13 and 48 % respectively. Also, PQ treatment induced mitochondrial depolarization in both brain areas. This work shows that chronic exposure to PQ induces cortical and striatal mitochondrial dysfunction that could be associated with first steps of neurodegenerative diseases.