Acrylamide, a well-documented neurotoxicant,
is commonly found
as a byproduct of the Maillard reaction in carbohydrate-rich foods.
Numerous studies have indicated that acrylamide-induced apoptosis
accompanied by mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to its neurotoxicity.
However, the mechanisms of how acrylamide causes mitochondrial impairment
is not well understood. In this study, we observed destroyed redox
balance, accumulated mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS),
damaged mitochondrial structures, and activated apoptosis in astrocytes
following acrylamide treatment. Furthermore, acrylamide decreased
the expression of mitochondrial biogenesis- and dynamics-related genes,
including PGC-1α, TFAM, Mfn2, and Opa1, and altered the expression
of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)-encoded mitochondrial respiratory chain
complexes, along with the inhibited mitochondrial respiration. Pretreatment
with a mitochondrial ROS scavenger mitoquinone dramatically restored
the expressions of PGC-1α, TFAM, Mfn2, and Opa1; protected the
mitochondrial structure; and decreased acrylamide-induced apoptosis.
Further in vivo experiments confirmed that acrylamide
decreased the expressions of PGC-1α, TFAM, Mfn2, and Opa1 in
rat brain tissues. These results revealed that acrylamide triggered
the mitochondrial ROS accumulation to interfere with mitochondrial
biogenesis and dynamics, causing mtDNA damage and finally resulting
in mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis.