Aims/hypothesis Increased oxygen consumption results in kidney tissue hypoxia, which is proposed to contribute to the development of diabetic nephropathy. Oxidative stress causes increased oxygen consumption in type 1 diabetic kidneys, partly mediated by uncoupling protein-2 (UCP-2)-induced mitochondrial uncoupling. The present study investigates the role of UCP-2 and oxidative stress in mitochondrial oxygen consumption and kidney function in db/db mice as a model of type 2 diabetes. Methods Mitochondrial oxygen consumption, glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria were investigated in db/db mice and corresponding controls with and without coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) treatment. −1 ). UCP-2 protein levels were similar in untreated control and db/db mice (67± 9 vs 67± 4 optical density; OD) but were reduced in CoQ10 treated groups (43±2 and 38±7 OD). Conclusions/interpretation db/db mice displayed oxidative stress-mediated activation of UCP-2, which resulted in mitochondrial uncoupling and increased oxygen consumption. CoQ10 prevented altered mitochondrial function and morphology, glomerular hyperfiltration and proteinuria in db/db mice, highlighting the role of mitochondria in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy and the benefits of preventing increased oxidative stress.

Kidney uncoupling protein 2 (UCP-2) increases in streptozotocin-induced diabetes, resulting in mitochondria uncoupling, i.e., increased oxygen consumption unrelated to active transport. The present study aimed to investigate the role of UCP-2 for normal and diabetic kidney function utilizing small interference RNA (siRNA) to reduce protein expression. Diabetic animals had increased glomerular filtration rate and kidney oxygen consumption, resulting in decreased oxygen tension and transported sodium per consumed oxygen. UCP-2 protein levels decreased 2 and 50% after UCP-2 siRNA administration in control and diabetic animals respectively. Kidney function was unaffected by in vivo siRNA-mediated gene silencing of UCP-2. The reason for the lack of effect of reducing UCP-2 is presently unknown but may involve compensatory mitochondrial uncoupling by the adenosine nucleotide transporter.