Biochemical basis of aroclor 1254 and pesticide toxicity in vitro. 1. Effects on intracellular ATP concentration.

Aroclor 1254 and op'-DDT inhibit lymphocyte mitogenic response to PHA. We use petri dish purified lymphocytes for studying the biochemical basis of chemical toxicity. Aroclor 1254 and DDT decrease lymphocyte intracellular ATP concentration. The inhibitory effect on ATP production is due to the suppression of mitochondrial respiration as judged by decreased oxygen consumption. Lymphocyte glycolysis measured by lactate production is not inhibited by Aroclor 1254 to any significant extent. ATP is required for various biosynthetic reactions following mitogenic stimulation. The inhibition of mitochondrial respiration which leads to decreased ATP concentration may be responsible for Aroclor inhibition of lymphocyte mitogenic response to PHA.