Buenos Aires, June 2021Inhibition of Mitochondrial Fission by Drp-1 Blockade by Short-Term Leptin and Mdvi-1 Treatment Improves White Adipose Tissue Abnormalities in Obesity and Diabetes

BackgroundObesity and type 2 diabetes are chronic diseases characterized by insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction and morphology abnormalities. ObjectiveHerein, we investigated if dysregulation of mitochondrial dynamics and biogenesis is involved in an animal model of obesity and diabetes. MethodsThe effect of short-term leptin and mdivi-1 -a selective inhibitor of Drp-1 fission-protein- treatment on mitochondrial dynamics and biogenesis was evaluated in epididymal white adipose tissue (WAT) from male ob/ob mice. ResultsAn increase in Drp-1 protein levels and a decrease in Mfn2 and OPA-1 protein expression were observed with enhanced and sustained mitochondrial fragmentation in ob/ob mice compared to wt C57BL/6 animals (p<0.05). The content of mitochondrial DNA and mRNA expression of PGC-1 -both parameters of mitochondrial biogenesis- were reduced in ob/ob mice (p<0.05). Leptin and mdivi-1 treatment significantly increased mitochondrial biogenesis, improved fusion-to-fission balance and attenuated mitochondrial dysfunction, thus inducing white-to-beige adipocyte transdifferentiation. Measurements of glucose and lipid oxidation in adipocytes revealed that both leptin and mdivi-1 increase substrates oxidation while in vivo determination of blood glucose concentration showed decreased levels by 50% in ob/ob mice, almost to the wt level. ConclusionsPharmacological targeting of Drp-1 fission protein may be a potential novel therapeutic tool for obesity and type 2 diabetes.