AimUncoupling protein-2 (UCP-2) can induce mitochondrial uncoupling in the diabetic kidney. Although mitochondrial uncoupling reduces oxidative stress originating from the mitochondria and can be regarded as a protective mechanism, the increased oxygen consumption occurring secondarily to increased mitochondria uncoupling, that is leak respiration, may contribute to kidney tissue hypoxia. Using UCP-2(-/-) mice, we tested the hypothesis that UCP-2-mediated leak respiration is important for the development of diabetes-induced intrarenal hypoxia and proteinuria. MethodsKidney function, invivo oxygen metabolism, urinary protein leakage and mitochondrial function were determined in wild-type and UCP-2(-/-) mice during normoglycaemia and 2weeks after diabetes induction. ResultsDiabetic wild-type mice displayed mitochondrial leak respiration, pronounced intrarenal hypoxia, proteinuria and increased urinary KIM-1 excretion. However, diabetic UCP-2(-/-) mice did not develop increased mitochondrial leak respiration and presented with normal intrarenal oxygen levels, urinary protein and KIM-1 excretion. ConclusionAlthough functioning as an antioxidant system, mitochondria uncoupling is always in co-occurrence with increased oxygen consumption, that is leak respiration; a potentially detrimental side effect as it can result in kidney tissue hypoxia; an acknowledged unifying pathway to nephropathy. Indeed, this study demonstrates a novel mechanism in which UCP-2-mediated mitochondrial leak respiration is necessary for the development of diabetes-induced intrarenal tissue hypoxia and proteinuria.
