Electron microscopy images of thalamus from acutely hydrogen sulfide poisoned mice

<p class="MsoNormal"><span>To date, the mitochondrial morphological changes that take place after an acute H₂S exposure are not well described. In the present study, we analyzed images of transmission electron microscopy of thalami from mice subjected to a single acute (1000 ppm) H₂S exposure and euthanized at various time points to assess the mitochondrial structure and morphometric parameters over time. From our observations, changes induced by H₂S up to 48 h were mostly limited to increased cristae and matrix compartments' disorganization in mainly accumulated round-shaped mitochondria. At 72 h, H₂S induced a spectrum of morphological cellular changes. Impaired H₂S-mediated energy-producing capacity of mitochondria relative to their normal-sized counterparts was inferred from our observations of disorganization and paucity of the inner mitochondrial membrane, the infoldings of which—into cristae—are well-documented to increase the surface area for ATP production, the evaluation of a disorganized network, and likely a disrupted mitophagy because of changes in mitochondrial shape. </span></p>