Alteration of membrane integrity and respiratory function of brain mitochondria in the rats chronically exposed to a low dose of acetamiprid

The pesticides are used in several fields of agriculture and farms to protect crops against harmful insects and herbs. The increased and uncontrolled use of these pollutants is very hazardous for the population health. Consumption of contaminated food matrices with these pesticides could impair the cell integrity and its molecular function. The main aim of this present study was to evaluate the alteration of the integrity of mitochondrial membranes and respiratory chain potential in the brain of rats exposed during 90 days to acetamiprid (AC), organochlorine of the new generation. After oral administration of AC in rats with 3.14 mg/kg of body weight, the results of this current study showed enhance in mitochondrial oxidative stress status by significant decrease of glutathione (GSH) level, glutathione pyroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) activities. On the other hand, there is an increase in the enzymatic activity of the glutathione s-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD); at the same time, the MDA level was also highly increased. Furthermore, evaluation results of brain mitochondrial integrity revealed a significant increase in membrane permeability and mitochondrial swelling in rats exposed chronically to AC. Instead, other results of this present work showed a significant decrease in mitochondrial respiration potent (O2 consumption) in acetamiprid-treated rats. In conclusion, the long duration exposition of the animals to AC has led to respiratory chain dysfunction, disturbance of matrix oxidative status, and a loss of mitochondrial membranes integrity.