Reduction of mitochondrial oxidative damage and improved mitochondrial efficiency by administration of crocetin against benzo[a]pyrene induced experimental animals.

The mitochondrial damage in the lung was assessed by examining the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxides, reduced glutathione, and the activities of isocitrate dehydrogenase, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, complexes I to IV, and cytochrome c. The oxidative phosphorylation (levels of adenosine triphosphatase) was evaluated for the assessment of mitochondrial functional capacity. We found significantly elevated levels of ROS, lipid peroxides, and decreased levels of mitochondrial enzymes in the mice administered with benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]p). Measurement of oxidative phosphorylation revealed a marked depletion in all the variables studied. Administration of crocetin prevented the structural and functional impairment of mitochondria upon administration to B[a]p. From the results, we suggest that administration of B[a]p induces damage to the lung mitochondria and crocetin protects the lung from damage by maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the mitochondrial membrane.