Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial dysfunction are critical to the pathophysiology of diabetes, obesity and insulin resistance as well to the vascular complications of these disorders. However, efforts to mitigate mitochondrial ROS production and oxidative damage have been limited by poor antioxidant entry into this compartment. Recently, mitochondrial targeted antioxidants have attracted attention as potential therapeutic agents. We recently carried out several studies of a mitochondrial targeted coenzyme Q analog termed 'mitoQ' (mitoquinol, mitoquinone, or a combination of these redox cycling molecules). We demonstrated both prooxidant and antioxidant effects. We also reported the novel finding that mitoQ has important metabolic effects including increased respiration and induction of nutrient selectivity favoring glucose oxidation over fatty acid oxidation. In spite of prooxidant effects, several investigators have reported that mitochondrial targeted coenzyme Q analogs (MTQAs) offer effective therapy in animal models of disease states where pathology can be traced to oxidative damage. The dual antioxidant and prooxidant effects of MTQAs are discussed and further addressed as part of this application. The proposed research addresses several gaps in our knowledge of MTQAs. These involve interactions of MTQAs with the respiratory chain, the mechanism(s) underlying the metabolic effects of MTQAs, and the effectiveness of MTQAs in the setting of diabetes, obesity, and insulin resistance. Briefly stated, our objectives are: 1. Assess the metabolic effects of MTQAs in cultured cells and determine the mechanisms responsible. 2. Further delineate the prooxidant and antioxidant effects of MTQAs and obtain mechanistic information concerning mitochondrial sites where these effects arise. Determine the balance between prooxidant and antioxidant effects. Determine whether the redox effects contribute mechanistically to metabolic effects. 3. Determine whether MTQAs have protective effects in high-fat fed insulin resistant obese mice and in insulin deficient diabetic mice. 4. Determine the effects of MTQAs on mitochondrial membrane potential and respiratory coupling when administered to live mice and delineate the mechanism(s) underlying this effect.

Public Health Relevance

to the VA: Obesity, insulin resistance, insulin deficient diabetes, and associated complications are highly prevalent among veterans. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species are critical to the pathophysiology underlying these problems. This work may lead to new therapy for these problems by uncovering novel information about the mechanism(s) of action and effectiveness of mitochondrial targeted antioxidant compounds.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Veterans Affairs (VA)
Type
Non-HHS Research Projects (I01)
Project #
5I01BX000285-02
Application #
8195611
Study Section
Endocriniology A (ENDA)
Project Start
2010-07-01
Project End
2014-06-30
Budget Start
2011-07-01
Budget End
2012-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Iowa City VA Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
028084333
City
Iowa City
State
IA
Country
United States
Zip Code
52245
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Bai, Fan; Fink, Brian D; Yu, Liping et al. (2016) Voltage-Dependent Regulation of Complex II Energized Mitochondrial Oxygen Flux. PLoS One 11:e0154982
Fink, Brian D; Bai, Fan; Yu, Liping et al. (2016) Impaired utilization of membrane potential by complex II-energized mitochondria of obese, diabetic mice assessed using ADP recycling methodology. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 311:R756-R763
Suneja, Manish; Fox, Daniel K; Fink, Brian D et al. (2015) Evidence for metabolic aberrations in asymptomatic persons with type 2 diabetes after initiation of simvastatin therapy. Transl Res 166:176-87
Raikwar, Sudhanshu P; Kim, Eun-Mi; Sivitz, William I et al. (2015) Human iPS cell-derived insulin producing cells form vascularized organoids under the kidney capsules of diabetic mice. PLoS One 10:e0116582
Yu, Liping; Fink, Brian D; Sivitz, William I (2015) Simultaneous quantification of mitochondrial ATP and ROS production. Methods Mol Biol 1264:149-59
Fink, Brian D; Herlein, Judith A; Guo, Deng Fu et al. (2014) A mitochondrial-targeted coenzyme q analog prevents weight gain and ameliorates hepatic dysfunction in high-fat-fed mice. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 351:699-708
Yu, Liping; Fink, Brian D; Herlein, Judith A et al. (2014) Dietary fat, fatty acid saturation and mitochondrial bioenergetics. J Bioenerg Biomembr 46:33-44
Yu, Liping; Fink, Brian D; Herlein, Judith A et al. (2013) Mitochondrial function in diabetes: novel methodology and new insight. Diabetes 62:1833-42