Artemether improves type 1 diabetic kidney disease by regulating mitochondrial function

Many patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus suffer from progressive diabetic kidney disease (DKD). The progression of DKD is largely attributed to mitochondrial dysfunction, with key contributions from mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. Recent studies have revealed that the antimalarial drug artemether has antidiabetic effects. To identify potential effects on type 1 DKD in the present study, mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes were treated with artemether. Treatment reduced urinary excretion of albumin and tubular injury biomarkers, increased serum albumin and total protein levels, and attenuated renal hypertrophy. In addition, artemether treatment prevented hyperglycemia, raised serum insulin levels, and restored glucagon/insulin and somatostatin/insulin ratios in islets. We found that artemether improved mitochondrial function and regulated redox balance in kidney. These results demonstrate that artemether provides renal protection in type 1 diabetes mellitus, which may be due to improved mitochondrial function.