Organ-specific affects of diabetes on mitochondrial function

Increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially by the mitochondria, is considered to be a central mechanism underlying the development of late diabetic complications. This study aims to determine how mitochondrial functions are changed in different organs during diabetes in order to determine if mitochondrial ROS production effects the development of diabetic complications. Mitochondria were isolated from hearts, kidneys, and livers of diabetic and control mice. Purity of the isolated mitochondria was checked by FACS. Oxygen consumption, ROS production, and enzyme activity measurements were pe…