Frontiers in Physiology (Jul 2020)

The Vicious Cycle of Renal Lipotoxicity and Mitochondrial Dysfunction

  • Mengyuan Ge,
  • Mengyuan Ge,
  • Flavia Fontanesi,
  • Sandra Merscher,
  • Sandra Merscher,
  • Alessia Fornoni,
  • Alessia Fornoni

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2020.00732
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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The kidney is one of the most energy-demanding organs that require abundant and healthy mitochondria to maintain proper function. Increasing evidence suggests a strong association between mitochondrial dysfunction and chronic kidney diseases (CKDs). Lipids are not only important sources of energy but also essential components of mitochondrial membrane structures. Dysregulation of mitochondrial oxidative metabolism and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production lead to compromised mitochondrial lipid utilization, resulting in lipid accumulation and renal lipotoxicity. However, lipotoxicity can be either the cause or the consequence of mitochondrial dysfunction. Imbalanced lipid metabolism, in turn, can hamper mitochondrial dynamics, contributing to the alteration of mitochondrial lipids and reduction in mitochondrial function. In this review, we summarize the interplay between renal lipotoxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction, with a focus on glomerular diseases.

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