Increased vulnerability of brain mitochondria in diabetic (Goto-Kakizaki) rats with aging and amyloid-β exposure

This study evaluated the respiratory indexes (respiratory control ratio [RCR] and ADP/O ratio), mitochondrial transmembrane potential (DeltaPsim), repolarization lag phase, repolarization level, ATP/ADP ratio, and induction of the permeability transition pore of brain mitochondria isolated from normal Wistar and GK diabetic rats of different ages (1.5, 12, and 24 months of age). The effect of amyloid beta-peptides, 50 mumol/l Abeta(25-35) or 2 mumol/l Abeta(1-40), on mitochondrial function was also analyzed. Aging of diabetic mice induced a decrease in brain mitochondrial RCR, ADP/O, and ATP/ADP ratios but induced an increase in the repolarization lag phase. Brain mitochondria from older diabetic rats were more prone to the induction of the permeability transition pore, i.e., mitochondria from 24-month-old diabetic rats accumulated much less Ca2+ (20 mumol/l) than those isolated from 12-month-old rats (50 mumol/l) or 1.5-month-old rats (100 mumol/l). In the presence of 50 mumol/l Abeta(25-35) or 2 mumol/l Abeta(1-40), age-related mitochondrial effects were potentiated. These results indicate that diabetes-related mitochondrial dysfunction is exacerbated by aging and/or by the presence of neurotoxic agents such as amyloid beta-peptides, supporting the idea that diabetes and aging are risk factors for the neuro-degeneration induced by these peptides.