Reduced expression of lipoic acid synthase accelerates diabetic nephropathy

Xianwen Yi, Longquan Xu, Sylvia Hiller, Hyung Suk Kim, Volker Nickeleit, Leighton R. James, Nobuyo Maeda

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

Oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. In mitochondria, lipoic acid synthase produces a-lipoic acid, an antioxidant and an essential cofactor in a-ketoacid dehydrogenase complexes, which participate in glucose oxidation and ATP generation. Administration of lipoic acid abrogates diabetic nephropathy in animal models, but whether lower production of endogenous lipoic acid promotes diabetic nephropathy is unknown. Here, we crossed mice heterozygous for lipoic acid synthase deficiency (Lias +/-) with Ins2 Akita/+ mice, a well characterized model of type 1 diabetes. Double mutant mice hadmore overt diabetic nephropathy, includingmicroalbuminuria, glomerular basement thickening, mesangial matrix expansion, and hypertension, compared with Lias +/+Ins2 Akita/+ controls. We also identified proximal tubules as a major site for generation of superoxide anions during diabetic nephropathy. Mitochondria in proximal tubular cells were particularly sensitive to damage in diabeticmice with reduced lipoic acid production. These results suggest that lipoic acid synthase deficiency increases oxidative stress and accelerates the development of diabetic nephropathy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)103-111
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology
Volume23
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2012
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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