MITOCHONDRIAL DYSFUNCTION AFTER FETAL ALCOHOL EXPOSURE

Specific mitochondrial enzyme activities and mRNA levels were measured in the heart, brain, and liver tissues of a group of 1-day-old neonat al rats whose mothers were alcohol-fed during pregnancy and compared w ith a control group, The results show a significant decrease in mitoch ondrial ATP synthase activity in both the brain and liver, as well as a decrease in complex III activity in the liver of rats exposed to alc ohol, Other mitochondrial enzymes activities (e.g., citrate synthase, cytochrome c oxidase, and complex I), as well as specific mitochondria l transcript levels, were not significantly affected. Heart mitochondr ial enzyme activities were not significantly affected. These data reve al that a tissue-specific response occurs after fetal exposure to alco hol and may explain some of the cellular events occurring in fetal alc ohol syndrome resulting in abnormal growth and neurological developmen t.