Effects of hexachlorobenzene and iron loading on rat liver mitochondria

The effects of hexachlorobenzene treatment and simultaneous iron-overload on the iron and porphyrin content of rat liver and rat liver mitochondria have been examined. In order to assess damages to the mitochondrial membrane occurring with these treatments, the content of malondialdehyde and selected functional properties of mitochondria were compared with those from control animals. Prolonged intake of hexachlorobenzene (8 weeks) resulted in a strikingly increased level of porphyrins together with a moderate increase in iron concentration. Simultaneous administration of hexachlorobenzene and iron-dextran caused the porphyrin level to reach 25% of the amount induced by hexachlorobenzene alone. The iron concentrations in liver as well as in liver mitochondria are also decreased under these conditions, as compared to the effect of iron-dextran. In contrast, the effects of hexachlorobenzene combined with iron-dextran on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and malondialdehyde content are greater than those of either hexachlorobenzene or iron-dextran. These data suggest that porphyrin accumulation per se causes little deleterious effect and that both agents administered together act synergistically in causing damage to the mitochondrial membrane.