The Relationship Among Mitochondria, Oxidative Stress and Advanced Glycation End Products in Diabetes

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that can cause neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy. Considering the vital role of mitochondria in aerobic metabolism, its function is significantly related to the pathophysiology of diabetes. In addition, mitochondria produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) from organic fuel molecules during the process of oxidative phosphorylation; according to evidence, ROS and the oxidative stress caused by them are very important for the pathophysiology of diabetes and its complications.In addition to causing oxidative stress, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) impair mitochondrial function and are responsible for major complications of diabetes, such as nephropathy and retinopathy.

This review was written based on findings from a search of the Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar databases from 1974 to 2019.

Mitochondria, due to their essential role in energy production and cell survival, lead to impaired cell function leading to oxidative stress and apoptosis. On the other hand, free radicals and AGEs due to their specific functional properties result in impairing mitochondrial function and play an important role in the pathophysiology of diabetes.

 Conclude that the reduction of free radicals, inhibition of AGEs, and protection of the proper function of mitochondria can be considered as the strategy to treat and improve the diabetes complications.