The effect of lead acetate on rat liver mitochondria.

The effect of two lead doses (100 and 200 micrograms Pb/kg) on the metabolism of rat liver mitochondria was studied determining the protein content of mitochondria and the activity of mitochondrial ATPase. Structural changes of mitochondria were studied in electron microscopy. Oxygen consumption was measured in mitochondria in two models: in vivo and in vitro. It was found that both doses used caused mitochondrial configuration changes in relation to control animals, reduced the amount of mitochondrial configuration changes in relation to control animals, reduced the amount of mitochondrial protein and the activity of mitochondrial ATPase and raised mitochondrial oxygen consumption in vivo and in vitro. The most powerful action of both lead consumption in vivo and in vitro. The most powerful during the first 30 minutes of lead contact with mitochondria. At the same time a significantly greater stimulation of mitochondrial respiration was observed after the lower dose of lead.