Diabetes-associated mitochondrial dysfunction is recognized, but the u
nderlying mechanisms are unknown. Using isolated liver mitochondria fr
om streptozotocin-induced diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats, we showed that
diabetes can result in a > 95% loss in mitochondrial transcriptional
capacity. Decreased transcription correlated well with both disease st
atus, as indicated by serum lipemia and ketone levels, and with increa
sed resistance of the mitochondrial transcription system to oxidative
stress imposed by the hydrophilic AAPH [2,2'-azobis-(2-amidinopropane)
hydrochloride] or the hydrophobic AMVN [2,2'-azobis-(2,4,-dimethyl-val
eronitrile)]. The onset of AAPH- or AMVN-induced lipid peroxidation wa
s also delayed; this suggests that liver mitochondrial membranes from
diabetics have increased resistance to peroxyl radical-mediated lipid
peroxidation. Lipid peroxidation induced endogenously was increased, h
owever, suggesting a state of increased oxidative stress likely exists
in vivo. Furthermore, changes in the rate of lipid peroxidation occur
ring during the propagation phase were also affected by diabetes. This
implies possible changes in lipid composition or structure. Analysis
indicated that the factors protecting mitochondria from lipid peroxida
tion differ from those involved in protecting the transcription system
, and that both are independent of free radical scavenger levels. Thes
e results suggested that diabetes alters mitochondrial exposure and/or
response to reactive species and provided clues to the role of oxidan
t stress in the development of diabetes-associated mitochondrial dysfu
nction. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.