Figure 8
CQ and AQ restored mitochondrial abnormalities and reduced oxidative stress in STZ-induced diabetic mice. (A) Immunoblotting showed that Tom20 expression was increased in diabetic kidneys after treatment with CQ or AQ. Band intensities representing Tom20 and βactin expression levels were converted into densitometry using ImageJ software in the ratios of Tom20 to βactin. Data are means ± SEM. (n = 5 per group, **p < 0.01 vs Normal, #p < 0.05 vs DM control). (B) Western blot analysis revealed that CQ and AQ suppressed Drp1 expression but increased Mfn1 expression, resulting the normalization of the Mfn1-to-Drp1 ratio in diabetic kidneys. Band intensities representing Mfn1 and Drp1 expression levels were converted into densitometry using ImageJ software in the ratios of Mfn1 to Drp1. Data are means ± SEM. (n = 5 per group, *p < 0.05 vs Normal, #p < 0.05 vs DM control). (C) Representative images of electron micrographs showing elongated mitochondria in the renal tubular cells of the normal control group. Most of the mitochondria were short or spherical in shape in the diabetic group. However, CQ or AQ administration markedly attenuated mitochondrial fragmentation in the renal tubular cells of diabetic kidneys. (Scale bar 2 and 0.5 μm). (D) Immunoperoxidase staining showing that tubular 8-OHdG content was increased in diabetic kidneys but was effectively reduced by treatment with CQ or AQ. (Scale bar 100 μm).
