Ultrastructural and biochemical effects of prolonged oral arsenic exposure on liver mitochondria of rats

This investigation was undertaken to further delineate the subcellular manifestations of arsenic toxicity following chronic exposure using combined ultrastructural and biochemical techniques. Male rats were given access to deionized drinking water solutions containing 0, 20, 40, or 85 arsenic as arsenate (As(+5)) for 6 weeks. In situ swelling of liver mitochondria was the most prominent ultrastructural change observed. Mitochondrial respiration studies indicated decreased state 3 respiration and respiratory control ratios (RCR) for pyruvate/malate but not succinate mediated respiration. Specific activity of monoamine oxidase which is localized on the outer mitochondrial membrane showed increases of up to 150% of control and cytochrome-C oxidase which is localized on the inner mitochondrial membrane showed increases in specific activity of 150–200%. Activity of malate dehydrogenase which is localized in the mitochondrial matrix was unchanged at any dose level. These studies indicate that decreased mitochondrial respiration is only one aspect of arsenic toxicity to this organelle. Marked arsenic-mediated perturbation of important enzyme systems localized in mitochondria which participate in the control of respiration and other normal mitochondrial functions are also important manifestations of cellular dysfunction.