Mitochondrial-targeted antioxidants represent a promising approach for prevention of cisplatin-induced nephropathy

Partha Mukhopadhyay1, Béla Horváth, Zsuzsanna Zsengellér

  • 1Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.

Insights

Mitochondrial dysfunction drives cisplatin nephrotoxicity. Targeted antioxidants delivered to mitochondria protected against kidney damage without reducing cisplatin

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Oncology
  • Mitochondrial Medicine

Background:

  • Cisplatin is a vital chemotherapy drug.
  • Nephrotoxicity is a significant dose-limiting side effect of cisplatin.
  • The exact mechanisms of cisplatin-induced kidney damage are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of mitochondria in cisplatin nephrotoxicity.
  • To evaluate the renoprotective potential of mitochondrially targeted antioxidants against cisplatin injury.

Main Methods:

  • Administration of cisplatin to induce nephrotoxicity.
  • Treatment with mitochondrially targeted antioxidants (MitoQ, Mito-CP).
  • Assessment of renal function, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, inflammation, and histopathology.

Main Results:

  • Cisplatin induced significant renal oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and injury.
  • Mitochondrially targeted antioxidants dose-dependently prevented cisplatin-induced renal dysfunction.
  • Mito-CP mitigated mitochondrial damage, inflammation, and tubular injury, while preserving cisplatin's anti-cancer efficacy in vitro.

Conclusions:

  • Mitochondrial-derived oxidants play a key role in cisplatin nephrotoxicity.
  • Mitochondrially targeted antioxidants show promise as a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent cisplatin-induced kidney damage.
  • This approach may allow for continued use of cisplatin chemotherapy with reduced renal side effects.