Age-Related Changes in the Functional Indices of Cardiac Mitochondria in Chronic Alcohol Intoxication in Rats

Abstract

The effect of chronic continuous consumption of 5 and 10% ethanol solutions for six months on the respiratory function and oxidant/antioxidant status in the cardiac mitochondria of rats of different gender and age is studied. A decrease in the rate of oxygen consumption by cardiomyocyte mitochondria under the V₂, V₃, and V₄ metabolic conditions according to Chance during the activation of the respiratory chain complexes I, I + II, and II is observed in old animals (24-month-old) compared to young (11-month-old) rats. The level of the products of lipid peroxidation (LPO) (malondialdehyde) in the cardiomyocyte mitochondria increases, whereas the activity of the antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) decreases. Chronic alcoholization of 24-month-old rats of both genders results in a more pronounced decline in the activity of respiratory function of the cardiac mitochondria, disintegration of respiration and oxidative phosphorylation, reduced activity of antiradical protection enzymes, and an increase in the level of LPO products compared to younger rats.