Mitochondrial Fission as a Therapeutic Target for Metabolic Diseases: Insights into Antioxidant Strategies

Mitochondrial fission is a crucial process in maintaining metabolic homeostasis in normal physiology and under conditions of stress. Its dysregulation has been associated with several metabolic diseases, including, but not limited to, obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and cardiovascular diseases. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) serve a vital role in the genesis of these conditions, and mitochondria are both the main sites of ROS production and the primary targets of ROS. In this review, we explore the physiological and pathological roles of mitochondrial fission, its regulation by dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), and the interplay between ROS and mitochondria in health and metabolic diseases. We also discuss the potential therapeutic strategies of targeting mitochondrial fission through antioxidant treatments for ROS-induced conditions, including the effects of lifestyle interventions, dietary supplements, and chemicals, such as mitochondrial division inhibitor-1 (Mdivi-1) and other mitochondrial fission inhibitors, as well as certain commonly used drugs for metabolic diseases. This review highlights the importance of understanding the role of mitochondrial fission in health and metabolic diseases, and the potential of targeting mitochondrial fission as a therapeutic approach to protecting against these conditions

High-Glucose Stimulation Increases Reactive Oxygen Species Production Through the Calcium and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase-Mediated Activation of Mitochondrial Fission

Increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from mitochondria is the main cause of hyperglycemic complications. We previously showed that hyperglycemic conditions induce mitochondrial fragmentation that is causal for ROS overproduction. This study was to identify signaling components that induce mitochondrial fragmentation in high-glucose stimulation. We found that exposing cells to the high-glucose concentration evokes increases in cytosolic Ca2+. Chelating Ca2+ in the high-glucose medium prevented not only the Ca2+ transient but also mitochondrial fragmentation and the ROS increase, indicating that the Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane is an upstream event governing mitochondrial fission and the ROS generation in high-glucose stimulation. We found that the high-glucose-induced Ca2+ increase activates the mitogen-activated protein kinase extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). The Ca2+ chelation prevented the ERK1/2 activation, and inhibition of the ERK1/2 phosphorylation decreased mitochondrial fragmentation as well as ROS levels in high-glucose stimulation. In addition, the level of the mitochondrial fission protein dynamin-like protein 1 in mitochondria increased in high-glucose incubation in a Ca2+-dependent manner. In vitro kinase assays showed that ERK1/2 is capable of phosphorylating dynamin-like protein 1. These results demonstrate that high-glucose stimulation induces the activation of mitochondrial fission via signals mediated by intracellular Ca2+ and ERK1/2. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 14, 425–437

Curcumin Ameliorates Heat-Induced Injury through NADPH Oxidase-Dependent Redox Signaling and Mitochondrial Preservation in C2C12 Myoblasts and Mouse Skeletal Muscle.

BackgroundNicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase and the mitochondrial electron transport chain are the primary sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Previous studies have shown that severe heat exposure damages mitochondria and causes excessive mitochondrial ROS production that contributes to the pathogenesis of heat-related illnesses.ObjectivesWe tested whether the antioxidant curcumin could protect against heat-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and skeletal muscle injury, and characterized the possible mechanism.MethodsMouse C2C12 myoblasts and rat flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) myofibers were treated with 5 μM curcumin; adult male C57BL/6J mice received daily curcumin (15, 50, or 100 mg/kg body weight) by gavage for 10 consecutive days. We compared ROS levels and mitochondrial morphology and function between treatment and nontreatment groups under unheated or heat conditions, and investigated the upstream mechanism and the downstream effect of curcumin-regulated ROS production.ResultsIn C2C12 myoblasts, curcumin prevented heat-induced mitochondrial fragmentation, ROS overproduction, and apoptosis (all P ConclusionsCurcumin regulates ROS hormesis favoring mitochondrial fusion/elongation, biogenesis, and improved function in rodent skeletal muscle. Curcumin may be an effective therapeutic target for heat-related illness and other mitochondrial diseases

Mitochondrial Dynamics in Diabetes

Mitochondria are at the center of cellular energy metabolism and regulate cell life and death. The cell biological aspect of mitochondria, especially mitochondrial dynamics, has drawn much attention through implications in human pathology, including neurological disorders and metabolic diseases. Mitochondrial fission and fusion are the main processes governing the morphological plasticity and are controlled by multiple factors, including mechanochemical enzymes and accessory proteins. Emerging evidence suggests that mitochondrial dynamics plays an important role in metabolism–secretion coupling in pancreatic β-cells as well as complications of diabetes. This review describes an overview of mechanistic and functional aspects of mitochondrial fission and fusion, and comments on the recent advances connecting mitochondrial dynamics with diabetes and diabetic complications. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 14, 439–457