Exposure to dibenzofuran affects lung mitochondrial function in vitro

Environmental pollutants, such as dioxins and furans, are extremely toxic and related with pulmonary diseases development. Impairment of mitochondrial function has been shown in pollutant-induced hepatic injury, but it has not been addressed in lungs, even though lung mitochondria are primary cellular targets for pollutants-induced toxicity. In isolated lung mitochondria, dibenzofuran significantly increased the lag phase preceding mitochondrial repolarization, suggesting a decrease in the efficiency of the mitochondrial phosphorylative system.