• The Effects of Para-Phenylenediamine on Mitochondrial Impairing in Liver of Rats
  • Mohammad Reza Neshat,1,* Davar Mohammadpour,2 Jalal Pourahmad,3
    1. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
    2. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
    3. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran


  • Introduction: Para-Phenylenediamine (PPD) is an aromatic amine used in hair dyes and in temporary black henna tattoos, which is a frequent cause of allergic contact dermatitis. It has been reported that this agent have a potential to cause liver damage in occupationally exposed populations. However, the mechanisms of its toxicity remain obscure. In this study we examined the effects of PPD on isolated rat liver mitochondria.
  • Methods: Rat liver mitochondria were obtained by differential ultracentrifugation and incubated with different concentrations of Para-Phenylenediamine. The acticity of mitochondrial complex II was assayed via the measurement of MTT reduction. The mitochondrial ROS measurement was perfomed using the fluorescent probe DCFH-DA. The Rhodamine 123 (Rh 123) redistribution technique was used for MMP measurement. Mitochondrial swelling was measured spectrophotometrically in duration 1 hour. Data were analyzed using the Graph pad prism software, version 6.
  • Results: Under our experimental conditions, succinate dehydrogenase activity was significantly reduced within 60 min incubation with different concentrations Para-Phenylenediamine. In Our study showed that H2O2 production was increased in a time and concentration-dependent. According to our results all concentrations of Para-Phenylenediamine after 60 min incubation, significantly decreased MMP in a time-dependent manner. Our results showed that PPD at all concentrations following 60 min incubation with liver mitochondria significantly (P<0.05) increased the mitochondria swelling, compared to untreated control groups. Para-Phenylenediamine caused a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the complex IV activity. Our results demonstrated that PPD induced a rise in mitochondrial reactive species (ROS) formation and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) collapse before mitochondrial swelling ensued in isolated liver mitochondria. Furthermore, the effects of Para-Phenylenediamine on lipid peroxidation showed that there was significant increase in levels of malondialdehyde generated in liver mitochondria.
  • Conclusion: The present study concluded that the toxicity of liver mitochondria is a starting point for hepatic effects of PPD which causes chronic liver damage
  • Keywords: Hair dye-Mitochondria-Para-Phenylenediamine- Toxicity