Respiratory functions in kidney mitochondria following paracetamol administration to young-adult & old rats.

Effects of paracetamol treatment in vivo to young-adult (2-3 months) and old (22-24 months) rats at subtoxic (375 mg/kg) and toxic (750 mg/kg) doses on kidney mitochondrial energy metabolism were examined. Administration of paracetamol (both doses) to young-adult animals did not, in general, affect the respiratory functions of kidney mitochondria. On the other hand, treatment of toxic doses to aged animals resulted in decrease in the state 3 respiration rates with glutamate, pyruvate + malate and succinate as substrates. Succinoxidase activity was also impaired in this experimental group. With subtoxic doses, state 3 respiration rate was decreased only with pyruvate + malate as substrate. Results indicate that the in vivo administration of paracetamol impaired kidney mitochondrial energy metabolism in aged animals.