Toxicology of various pesticides and their decomposition products on mitochondrial electron transport

The effect of various pesticides and derivatives on mitochondrial electron transport systems was assessed. DDT, DDE, TDE, Kelthane, chlorobenzilate, chloropropylate and Acarol were found to be inhibitory towards both heavy beef heart mitochondrial (HBHM) NADH-oxidase and succinoxidase enzyme systems. Dichlorobenzophenone andp-chlorophenol were less inhibitory towards the HBHM NADH-oxidase and did not inhibit the succinoxidase enzyme system. DDA did not inhibit either of the electron transport systems. Carbaryl was not inhibitory towards both HBHM oxidase systems, whereas its degradative product dihydroxynaphthalene was inhibitory at the same concentration. Furadan, Matacil, Baygon and Dimetilan were only slightly inhibitory towards the mitochondrial NADH-oxidase system and did not inhibit the succinoxidase system. Zectran was inhibitory towards the NADH-oxidase system and was not inhibitory towards the succinoxidase system. DDT, DDE and TDE, dihydroxynaphthalene and 1-naphthol inhibited the NADH-oxidase enzyme system on the substrate side of cytochrome c, whereas Kelthane inhibited on the oxygen side.Contribution to Regional Project W-45, Residues of Pesticides and Related Chemicals in the Agricultural Environment-Their Nature, Distribution, Persistence, and Texicological Implications. University of Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station No. 432.