Exposure of the cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum from Portuguese rice fields to Molinate (Ordram(®)): Effects on the antioxidant system and fatty acid profile

Herbicide contamination of aquatic ecosystems is a serious global environmental concern. Several herbicides enhance the intracellular formation of reactive oxygen species, and can lead to the damage of macromolecules and to a decrease of oxidant defenses in a wide range of non-target microorganisms including cyanobacteria. The effects of molinate (a thiocarbamate herbicide used for controlling grassy weeds in rice fields) on the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S-transferase were evaluated in Nostoc muscorum, a freshwater cyanobacterium with a significant spread in Portuguese rice fields. These were determined in N. muscorum cultures acutely (72h) exposed to concentrations ranging from 0.75 to 2mM of molinate. This study also analyzed the effects of molinate on: (1) the nonenzymatic antioxidant contents (reduced and oxidized glutathione, carotenoids, and proline), (2) the oxidative cell damage measured in terms of lipid peroxidation (MDA level) and electrolyte leakage (intactness of plasma membrane), and (3) the total fatty acid profile. The results showed that the activities of all antioxidant enzymes decreased dramatically with the rising concentration of molinate after 72h. Time-dependent and concentration-dependent increase in MDA and enhanced cell membrane leakage were indicative of lipid peroxidation, formation of free radicals and oxidative damage. Compared to control, 72-h herbicide exposure increased lipid peroxidation by 5.4%, 19% and 28% with 0.75, 1.5 and 2mM of molinate, respectively. Similarly, herbicide stress induced an increase in electrolyte leakage (5.8%, 29.5% and 30.2% above control, with 0.75, 1.5 and 2mM of molinate, respectively). The increased production of proline at higher molinate concentrations (the values rose above control by 45%, 95% and 156% with 0.75, 1.5 and 2mM, respectively) indicated the involvement of this osmoprotectant in a free radical scavenging mechanism. Moreover, a radical decline in both glutathione pool, carotenoids and saturated fatty acids were also observed. The results of the present study lead us to conclude that: (1) both enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidative defense system of N. muscorum are dramatically affected by molinate, (2) the herbicide induces peroxidation, (3) it contributes to an increase of the unsaturation level of cell membrane fatty acids. These evidences should be taken in account when using N. muscorum as an environmental indicator species in studies of herbicide biotransformation and biomarker response as well as in environmental monitoring programmes.

"MitoTea": Geranium robertianum L. decoctions decrease blood glucose levels and improve liver mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats

Several chemical compounds found in plant products have proven to possess beneficial properties, being currently pointed out due to their pharmacological potential in type 2 diabetes mellitus complications. In this context, we studied the effect of Geranium robertianum L. (herb Robert) leaf decoctions in Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats, a model of type 2 diabetes. Our results showed that oral administration of G. robertianum leaf decoctions over a period of four weeks lowered the plasma glucose levels in diabetic rats. Furthermore, the treatment with G. robertianum extracts improved liver mitochondrial respiratory parameters (state 3, state 4 and FCCP-stimulated respiration) and increased oxidative phosphorylation efficiency.

"MitoTea": Geranium robertianum L. decoctions decrease blood glucose levels and improve liver mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats

Several chemical compounds found in plant products have proven to possess beneficial properties, being currently pointed out due to their pharmacological potential in type 2 diabetes mellitus complications. In this context, we studied the effect of Geranium robertianum L. (herb Robert) leaf decoctions in Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats, a model of type 2 diabetes. Our results showed that oral administration of G. robertianum leaf decoctions over a period of four weeks lowered the plasma glucose levels in diabetic rats. Furthermore, the treatment with G. robertianum extracts improved liver mitochondrial respiratory parameters (state 3, state 4 and FCCP-stimulated respiration) and increased oxidative phosphorylation efficiency.

Bentazon triggers the promotion of oxidative damage in the Portuguese ricefield cyanobacterium Anabaena cylindrica: response of the antioxidant system

Rice fields are frequently exposed to environmental contamination by herbicides and cyanobacteria, as primary producers of these aquatic ecosystems, are adversely affected. Anabaena cylindrica is a cyanobacterium with a significantly widespread occurrence in Portuguese rice fields. This strain was studied throughout 72 h in laboratory conditions for its stress responses to sublethal concentrations (0.75-2 mM) of bentazon, a selective postemergence herbicide recommended for integrated weed management in rice, with special reference to oxidative stress, role of proline and intracellular antioxidant enzymes in herbicide-induced free radicals detoxification. Activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) increased in a time- and herbicide dose-response manner and were higher than those in the control samples after 72 h. A time- and concentration-dependent increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and the enhanced cell membrane leakage following bentazon exposure are indicative of lipid peroxidation, free radicals formation, and oxidative damage, while increased amounts of SOD, CAT, APX, GST, and proline indicated their involvement in free radical scavenging mechanisms. The appreciable decline in the reduced glutathione (GSH) pool after 72 h at higher bentazon concentrations could be explained by the reduction of the NADPH-dependent glutathione reductase (GR) activity. The obtained results suggested that the alterations of antioxidant systems in A. cylindrica might be useful biomarkers of bentazon exposure. As the toxic mechanism of bentazon is a complex phenomenon, this study also adds relevant findings to explain the oxidative stress pathways of bentazon promoting oxidative stress in cyanobacteria.

Comparative toxicity of bentazon and molinate on growth, photosynthetic pigments, photosynthesis, and respiration of the Portuguese ricefield cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum

Bentazon and molinate are selective herbicides recommended for integrated weed management in rice. Their toxicity on growth and some biochemical and physiological parameters of Nostoc muscorum, an abundant cyanobacterium in Portuguese rice fields, was evaluated under laboratory conditions during time- and concentration-dependent exposure for 72 h. Results showed that toxic concentrations (0.75-2 mM) of both herbicides have pleiotropic effects on the cyanobacterium. Molinate was more toxic than bentazon to growth, respiration, chlorophyll-a, carotenoids, and phycobiliproteins contents. Protein content was increased by both herbicides although the effect was particularly evident with higher concentrations of molinate (1.5-2 mM). The herbicides had contrasting effects on carbohydrates content: molinate increased this organic fraction whereas bentazon decreased it. Photosynthesis and respiration were inhibited by both herbicides.

Representações Sociais da inteligência: estrutura e efeitos de algumas variáveis sociocognitivas

O primeiro objectivo do presente estudo é o de analisar a organização estrutural das crenças e teorias implícitas sobre a inteligência em participantes de sexo feminino com diferentes inserções sociais e papéis educativos (Mães e Não Mães, Professoras e Não Professoras). Por outro lado, pretende-se também pesquisar de que modo as mesmas podem ser influenciadas por dinâmicas sociocognitivas, como possíveis conflitos identitários em participantes que desempenhem duplo papel educativo, bem como o grau de familiaridade percepcionado pelos participantes com o objecto de representação “inteligência”. Do ponto de vista teórico, adopta-se a perspectiva da Teoria das Representações Sociais, entendidas como Princípios Organizadores de Crenças e Teorias Implícitas. Quanto ao primeiro objectivo, análises factoriais confirmatórias (subsequentes a análises exploratórias) mostram um modelo de organização estrutural de três factores, com fracas ou moderadas correlações entre si. Quanto ao segundo objectivo, análises multivariadas mostram que as Mães valorizam mais teorias inatistas (confirmando estudos anteriores), como possível forma de defesa das suas identidades sociais. Alguns resultados novos face à literatura surgem nesta investigação: as Mães são também as participantes que mais valorizam a imagem de criança inteligente como criança simultaneamente bem socializada, mas também autónoma e dinâmica na prossecução de objectivos ambiciosos. Finalmente, também como resultado novo, consta-se que os participantes sem qualquer posição face à questão da familiaridade com o objecto de representação, valorizam significativamente mais esta última teoria implícita. São sugeridos estudos futuros para esclarecimento destes resultados.

Effects of elevated CO2 on grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.): volatile composition, phenolic content, and in vitro antioxidant activity of red wine

The impact of elevated carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]) on the quality of berries, must, and red wine (with special reference to volatile composition, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity) made from Touriga Franca, a native grape variety of Vitis vinifera L. for Port and Douro wine manufacturing grown in the Demarcated Region of Douro, was investigated during 2005 and 2006. Grapevines were grown either in open-top chambers (OTC) with ambient (365 +/- 10 ppm) or elevated (500 +/-16 ppm) [CO2] or in an outside plot. In general, the increase of [CO2] did not affect berry characteristics, especially the total anthocyan and tannin concentrations. However, the total anthocyan and polyphenol concentrations of the red wine were inhibited under elevated [CO2]. The antioxidant capacity of the wines was determined by DPPH, ABTS, and TBARS assays and, despite the low concentrations of phenolics, the elevated [CO2] did not significantly change the total antioxidant capacity of the red wines. Thirty-five volatile compounds belonging to seven chemical groups were identified: C6 alcohols, higher alcohols, esters, terpenols, carbonyl compounds, acids, volatile phenols, and C13 norisoprenoids. Generally, the same volatile compounds were present in all of the wines, but the relative levels varied among the treatments. The effect of elevated [CO2] was significant because it was detected as an increase in ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, isoamyl acetate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate, butyric acid, and isovaleric acid concentrations and a decrease in ethyl acetate concentration when compared to wines produced in ambient [CO2] in 2005. In elevated [CO2], wines from 2006 had lower methionol, 1-octanol, and 4-ethylguaiacol and higher ethyl lactate and linalool concentrations. The increase in [CO2] did not significantly affect C6 alcohols, citronellol, carbonyl compounds, and beta-damascenone concentrations. This study showed that the predicted rise in [CO2] did not produce negative effects on the quality of grapes and red wine. Although some of the compounds were slightly affected, the red wine quality remained almost unaffected.

Evaluation of olive oil mill wastewater toxicity on the mitochondrial bioenergetics after treatment with Candida oleophila

In a previous work the ability of Candida oleophila to use phenolic compounds as sole carbon and energy source at high concentrations without an additional carbon source was reported. C. oleophila grown in bioreactor batch cultures in a diluted and sterilized olive oil mill wastewater (OMW) caused a significant decrease in the total tannins content but no significant alteration was observed in phenolic acid and fatty acid content. Both treated and untreated OMWs were tested to evaluate the capacity in interfering with mitochondrial bioenergetics. Mitochondrial respiration was not affected by treated OMW on the range of used concentrations, contrary to the untreated OMW. Furthermore, mitochondrial membrane potential and respiratory complexes were always significantly less affected by treated OMW in comparison with untreated OMW. However, supplementary treatment should be applied before OMW could be considered non-toxic.

Evaluation of olive oil mill wastewaters acute toxicity: a study on the mitochondrial bioenergetics

Acute toxicity of olive mill wastewaters (OMW), collected from a continuous olive mill, was evaluated in rat liver mitochondrial bioenergetics. Inhibition of respiratory activities in state 4, state 3, and uncoupled respiration are essentially mediated through partial inhibitions of mitochondrial complexes II and III. ATPase activity was considerably less depressed by OMW than ATP synthase activity (a difference of 42%). The inhibition observed on ATP synthase is mostly the result of an inhibition on the redox complexes. Ultimately, the OMW-induced loss of phosphorylation capacity was not only the result of a direct effect of OMW on the enzymatic complex (F(0)-F(1) ATPase), but also the result of a deleterious effect on the integrity of the mitochondrial membrane, which can promote an inhibition of the respiratory complexes and an increase of the proton permeability of the inner membrane.

Soybean oil treatment impairs glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and changes fatty acid composition of normal and diabetic islets

We investigated the effect of sub-chronic soybean oil (SO) treatment on the insulin secretion and fatty acid composition of islets of Langerhans obtained from Goto-Kakizaki (GK), a model of type 2 diabetes, and normal Wistar rats. We observed that soybean-treated Wistar rats present insulin resistance and defective islet insulin secretion when compared with untreated Wistar rats. The decrease in insulin secretion occurred at all concentrations of glucose and arginine tested. Furthermore we observed that soybean-treated normal islets present a significant decrease in two saturated fatty acids, myristic and heneicosanoic acids, and one monounsaturated eicosenoic acid, and the appearance of the monounsaturated erucic acid. Concerning diabetic animals, we observed that soybean-treated diabetic rats, when compared with untreated GK rats, present an increase in plasma non-fasting free fatty acids, an exacerbation of islet insulin secretion impairment in all conditions tested and a significant decrease in the monounsaturated palmitoleic acid. Altogether our results show that SO treatment results in a decrease of insulin secretion and alterations on fatty acid composition in normal and diabetic islets. Furthermore, the impairment of insulin secretion, islet erucic acid and fasting plasma insulin levels are similar in treated normal and untreated diabetic rats, suggesting that SO could have a deleterious effect on beta-cell function and insulin sensitivity.

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in Liza saliens from the Esmoriz-Paramos coastal lagoon, Portugal

Heavy metal (Cu and Zn) concentrations in liver, gills, and muscle of leaping grey mullet, Liza saliens, from the Portuguese Esmoriz-Paramos coastal lagoon were measured to evaluate their bioaccumulation as a function of sediment contamination. The highest metal concentrations were observed in the liver (254 mg Cu kg(-1)) and gills (114 mg Zn kg(-1)). Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) were found to follow the order: Cu-liver>Cu-gills>Cu-muscle and Zn-gills>Zn-liver>Zn-muscle. The highest BAFs were observed in the organs mainly implicated in metal metabolism and a significant positive relationship was found between BAFs and fish age. These results suggest the loss of homeostatic capacity of L. saliens under chronic metal exposure leading to bioaccumulation. Furthermore, Cu-liver and Zn-gills accumulation can be good environmental indicators of metal stress in L. saliens.

Study of the temperature effect in three chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) cultivars' behaviour

The aim of this work was to analyse the effect of temperature in three chestnut cultivars, Aveleira, Judia and Longal. For this purpose, gas exchange, thylakoid membrane potential, photosynthetic pigment and lipid content data in July, September and October under different temperatures (31, 26 and 18 degrees C) were determined. With respect to gas exchanges, significant changes in photosynthesis rate of Aveleira were observed between July and September (7mumol CO2m(-2)s(-1)). In contrast, Judia and Longal showed a strong increase in this period, 6.1-8.5 and 4.9-6.7 micromol CO2m(-2)s(-1), for Judia and Longal, which represent an increase of about 15% and 43%, respectively. Similar patterns were detected in daylight photosynthesis measurements for Judia and Longal, in which an almost 60% decrease was observed, in contrast to 40% for Aveleira, from morning to midday, when temperatures increased from 27 to 34 degrees C. In addition to high photosynthetic rates in the hottest month, Aveleira was also the sunniest cultivar according its highest value on chlorophyll a/b ratio (3.65). Cultivars also presented maximal thylakoid membrane potential at different temperatures, with their values being 20.8, 17.8 and 17.2 degrees C for Aveleira, Longal and Judia, respectively. These results were also supported by thylakoid fatty acid composition which indicated that the unsaturation index of Aveleira (158) was the lowest in comparison with other two cultivars, 168 and 175, for Longal and Judia, respectively.

Comparative effects of the Roundup and glyphosate on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation

The potential toxicity of the herbicide Roundup and its fundamental substance (glyphosate) was tested in bioenergetic functions of isolated rat liver mitochondria. Roundup stimulates succinate-supported respiration twice, with simultaneous collapse of transmembrane electrical potential, while glyphosate used in the same concentrations does not induce any significant effect. Additionally, Roundup depresses state 3 respiration by about 40%, at 15 mM, whereas uncoupled respiration in the presence of FCCP is depressed by about 50%. Depression of uncoupled respiratory activity is mediated through partial inhibition of mitochondrial complexes II and III, but not of complex IV. The phosphorylative system was affected by both a direct and an indirect effect on the F0F1 ATPase activity. The addition of uncoupled concentrations of Roundup to Ca2+-loaded mitochondria treated with Ruthenium Red resulted in non-specific membrane permeabilization, as evidenced by mitochondrial swelling in isosmotic sucrose medium. Therefore, the uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation is also related to the non-specific membrane permeabilization induced by Roundup. Glyphosate alone does not show any relevant effect on the mitochondrial bioenergetics, in opposition to Roundup formulation products. The differences in the toxicity observed could be either attributed to some products of Roundup or to a synergic effect of glyphosate and formulation products. Bearing in mind that mitochondria is provided with a variety of bioenergetic functions mandatory for the regulation of intracellular aerobic energy production and electrolyte homeostasis, these results question the safety of Roundup on animal health.

A comparative study of plant and animal mitochondria exposed to paraquat reveals that hydrogen peroxide is not related to the observed toxicity

Rat liver mitochondria are much more susceptible to protein oxidation induced by paraquat than plant mitochondria. The unsaturated index and the peroxidizability index are higher in rat than in potato tuber. The levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase are concurrent with the different sensitivities to paraquat, with higher activities in plant mitochondria. However, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities are higher in rat mitochondria. Paraquat (10 mM) inhibited all the enzymatic activities; excluding catalase all the other activities were inhibited to a similar degree. The differential sensitivities of plant and animal mitochondria to paraquat correlate with fatty acid composition of mitochondrial lipids and a similar correlation was also established for some antioxidant enzymes. At the mitochondrial level, H(2)O(2) is not a major factor of paraquat toxicity since rat liver mitochondria which exhibit higher activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase are however more susceptible to paraquat.

Daphnetoxin interacts with mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and induces membrane permeability transition in rat liver

The effects of daphnetoxin on isolated rat liver mitochondria and freshly isolated rat hepatocytes were investigated. Daphnetoxin (in the microM range) increased mitochondrial state 4 respiration and decreased both state 3 and FCCP-uncoupled respiration. The transmembrane potential was strongly depressed by daphnetoxin in a concentration-dependent manner. The protonophoric activity of daphnetoxin was evidenced by the induction of mitochondrial swelling in hyposmotic K+ acetate medium in the presence of valinomycin. In isolated hepatocytes, daphnetoxin decreases intracellular ATP and simultaneously increases ADP and AMP concentrations. The addition of uncoupling concentrations of daphnetoxin to Ca2+-loaded mitochondria treated with Ruthenium Red results in non-specific membrane permeabilization, as evidenced by mitochondrial swelling in isosmotic sucrose medium. Mitochondrial swelling in the presence of Ca2+ was prevented by cyclosporine A and was drastically inhibited by catalase and dithiothreitol, indicating the participation of mitochondrial generated reactive oxygen species in this process. From this study we can conclude that the bioenergetic lesion promoted by daphnetoxin seems to be sufficient to explain the lethal hapatocyte injury.

Comparative effects of herbicide dicamba and related compound on plant mitochondrial bioenergetics

The herbicide dicamba (3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid) was evaluated for its effects on bioenergetic activities of potato tuber mitochondria to elucidate putative mechanisms of action and to compare its toxicity with 2-chlorobenzoic acid. Dicamba (4 micro mol/mg mitochondrial protein) induces a limited stimulation of state 4 respiration of ca. 10%, and the above concentrations significantly inhibit respiration, whereas 2-chlorobenzoic acid maximally stimulates state 4 respiration (ca. 50%) at about 25 micro mol/mg mitochondrial protein. As opposed to these limited effects on state 4 respiration, transmembrane electrical potential is strongly decreased by dicamba and 2-chlorobenzoic acid. Dicamba (25 micro mol/mg mitochondrial protein) collapses, almost completely, Deltapsi; similar concentrations of 2-chlorobenzoic acid promote Deltapsi drops of about 50%. Proton permeabilization partially contributes to Deltapsi collapse since swelling in K-acetate medium is stimulated, with dicamba promoting a stronger stimulation. The Deltapsi decrease induced by dicamba is not exclusively the result of a stimulation on the proton leak through the mitochondrial inner membrane, since there was no correspondence between the Deltapsi decrease and the change on the O(2) consumption on state 4 respiration; on the contrary, for concentrations above 8 micro mol/mg mitochondrial protein a strong inhibition was observed. Both compounds inhibit the activity of respiratory complexes II and III but complex IV is not significantly affected. Complex I seems to be sensitive to these xenobiotics. In conclusion, dicamba is a stronger mitochondrial respiratory chain inhibitor and uncoupler as compared to 2-chlorobenzoic acid. Apparently, the differences in the lipophilicity are related to the different activities on mitochondrial bioenergetics.

Interactions of a new 2-styrylchromone with mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation

Many chromones, especially those having 2-substituents, manifest a remarkable variety of biological activities, such as the important cytotoxicity against human leukaemia cells, antiallergic, anticancer activities; unfortunately chromones normally disturb mitochondrial bioenergetics. A new 2-styrylchromone has been synthesized by the Baker-Venkataraman method and a classical approach has been used to assess the effects of 2-styrylchromone (3'-allyl-4',5,7-trimethoxy-2-styrylchromone) on rat liver mitochondrial bioenergetic. Mitochondrial respiratory rate and transmembrane potential were measured polarographically using a Clark oxygen electrode and with a selective electrode, respectively. All the disturbance induced by 2-styrylchromone on the enzymatic activities (succinate dehydrogenase, succinate cytochrome c reductase, and cytochrome c oxidase) and in the mitochondrial osmotic volume were determined spectrophotometrically. State 4, state 3, and uncoupled (presence of carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone) respiration rates were decreased by 2-styrylchromone in a concentration-dependent manner. Depression of respiratory activity promoted by 2-styrylchromone is essentially mediated through partial inhibition of succinate cytochrome c reductase. Phosphorylation capacity was strongly depressed as a result of an inhibition on the enzymatic complex (F(0)F(1)-ATPase) and also because of a deleterious effect on the integrity of the mitochondrial membrane, which uncoupled the respiration-generated proton gradient with the proton-driven phosphorylation. The structural integrity of the outside membrane is severely affected since cytochrome c can be released. 2-Styrylchromone uncouples oxidative phosphorylation by an inhibitory action on the redox chain and ATP synthase activity. Additionally, it can release cytochrome c. Cell death can probably result due to the induction of procaspase-9 and other procaspases and by a strong decrease of the available ATP.

The herbicide dicamba (2-methoxy-3,6-dichlorobenzoic acid) interacts with mitochondrial bioenergetic functions

The effects of dicamba, a widely used broad-leaf herbicide, on rat liver mitochondrial bioenergetic activities were examined. The results obtained for state 4 respiration indicate not only an uncoupling effect, the result of an increase on the permeability of inner mitochondria membrane to protons, but also a strong inhibitory effect on the redox complexes. State 3 and respiration uncoupled by FCCP (carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone) were inhibited to approximately the same extent, i.e. by about 70%. Depression of respiratory activity is essentially mediated through partial inhibition of mitochondrial complexes II and III. ATPase activity was much less depressed by dicamba than ATP synthase activity. Therefore, a considerable part of the inhibition observed on ATP synthase is the result of an inhibition on the redox complexes. The loss of phosphorylation capacity, induced by dicamba, was in the last analysis not only the result of a direct effect of dicamba on the enzymatic complex (F(0)-F(1) ATPase) but also the result of a deleterious effect on the integrity of the mitochondrial membrane, which can promote an inhibition of the respiratory complexes and an increase of the proton permeability of the inner membrane.

Differential sensitivities of plant and animal mitochondria to the herbicide paraquat

Paraquat herbicide is toxic to animals, including humans, via putative toxicity mechanisms associated to microsomal and mitochondrial redox systems. It is also believed to act in plants by generating highly reactive oxygen free radicals from electrons of photosystem I on exposure to light. Paraquat also acts on non-chlorophyllous plant tissues, where mitochondria are candidate targets, as in animal tissues. Therefore, we compared the interaction of paraquat with the mitochondrial bioenergetics of potato tuber, using rat liver mitochondria as a reference. Paraquat depressed succinate-dependent mitochondrial Delta(psi), with simultaneous stimulation of state 4 O2 consumption. It also induced a slow time-dependent effect for respiration of succinate, exogenous NADH, and N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD)/ascorbate, which was more pronounced in rat than in potato mitochondria. However, with potato tuber mitochondria, the Delta(psi) promoted by complex-I-dependent respiration is insensitive to this effect, indicating a protection against paraquat radical afforded by complex I redox activity, which was just the reverse of to the findings for rat liver mitochondria. The experimental set up with the tetraphenyl phosphonium (TPP+)-electrode also indicated production of the paraquat radical in mitochondria, also suggesting its accessibility to the outside space. The different activities of protective antioxidant agents can contribute to explain the different sensitivities of both kinds of mitochondria. Values of SOD activity and alpha-tocopherol detected in potato mitochondria were significantly higher than in rat mitochondria, which, in turn, revealed higher values of lipid peroxidation induced by paraquat.