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Study · Ex vivo tissue · 2018

2 results

The targeted anti-oxidant MitoQ causes mitochondrial swelling and depolarization in kidney tissue.

Gottwald EM, Duss M, Bugarski M, Haenni D, Schuh CD, Landau EM, Hall AM

Physiological reports1 Apr 2018Cited by 79 (Europe PMC)

PMID29611340 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC5880956 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.14814/phy2.13667 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-29611340
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Summary

Kidney proximal tubules (PTs) contain a high density of mitochondria, which are required to generate ATP to power solute transport. Mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous kidney diseases. Damaged mitochondria are thought to produce excess reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can lead to oxidative stress and activation of cell death pathways. MitoQ is a mitochondrial targeted anti-oxidant that has shown promise in preclinical models of renal diseases. However, recent studies in nonkidney cells have suggested that MitoQ might also have adverse effects. Here, using a live imaging approach, and both in vitro and ex vivo models, we show that MitoQ induces rapid swelling and depolarization of mitochondria in PT cells, but these effects were not observed with SS-31, another targeted anti-oxidant. MitoQ consists of a lipophilic cation (Tetraphenylphosphonium [TPP]) joined to an anti-oxidant component (quinone) by a 10-carbon alkyl chain, which is thought to insert into the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM). We found that mitochondrial swelling and depolarization was also induced by dodecyltriphenylphosphomium (DTPP), which consists of TPP and the alkyl chain, but not by TPP alone. Surprisingly, MitoQ-induced mitochondrial swelling occurred in the absence of a decrease in oxygen consumption rate. We also found that DTPP directly increased the permeability of artificial liposomes with a cardiolipin content similar to that of the IMM. In summary, MitoQ causes mitochondrial swelling and depolarization in PT cells by a mechanism unrelated to anti-oxidant activity, most likely because of increased IMM permeability due to insertion of the alkyl chain.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study2

2 results from studies that gave the peptide. No result from this study comes from people.

  1. 01LabEx vivo tissueSafety outcome

    In proximal tubule cells in vitro and ex vivo, SS‑31 did not induce mitochondrial swelling, unlike MitoQ.

    In plain wordsIn lab tests on kidney cells, SS‑31 did not cause mitochondria to swell, unlike MitoQ.

    Peptide
    Elamipretide (SS-31)
    Outcome
    No significant changeMitochondrial swelling in proximal tubule cells
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Proximal tubule cells in vitro and ex vivo
    Comparator
    MitoQ
    Outcome group
    Mitochondrial function · Kidney and urinary
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    we show that MitoQ induces rapid swelling and depolarization of mitochondria in PT cells, but these effects were not observed with SS-31, another targeted anti-oxidant.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Here, using a live imaging approach, and both in vitro and ex vivo models, we show that MitoQ induces rapid swelling and depolarization of mitochondria in PT cells, but these effects were not observed with SS-31, another targeted anti-oxidant.
  2. 02LabEx vivo tissueSafety outcome

    In proximal tubule cells in vitro and ex vivo, SS‑31 did not induce mitochondrial depolarization, unlike MitoQ.

    In plain wordsIn lab tests on kidney cells, SS‑31 did not cause loss of mitochondrial membrane voltage, unlike MitoQ.

    Peptide
    Elamipretide (SS-31)
    Outcome
    No significant changeMitochondrial depolarization in proximal tubule cells
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Proximal tubule cells in vitro and ex vivo
    Comparator
    MitoQ
    Outcome group
    Mitochondrial function · Kidney and urinary
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    we show that MitoQ induces rapid swelling and depolarization of mitochondria in PT cells, but these effects were not observed with SS-31, another targeted anti-oxidant.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Here, using a live imaging approach, and both in vitro and ex vivo models, we show that MitoQ induces rapid swelling and depolarization of mitochondria in PT cells, but these effects were not observed with SS-31, another targeted anti-oxidant.

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

  1. Version 2Current

    10 Oct 2026, 08:19 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 1

    9 Oct 2026, 02:47 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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