Hyperglycemia-induced mitochondrial alterations in liver

The increasing prevalence of diabetes continues to be a major health issue world wide. Liver injury is highly relevant in diabetic subjects and Type 2 diabetes mellitus is an acknowledged risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Chronic hyperglycemia is an important feature of diabetes and hyperglycemia induced mitochondrial dysfunction in liver holds importance in context to NAFLD. Some of the hyperglycemia induced changes in mitochondria include decreased oxidative phosphorylation, increased oxidative stress and ultra structural abnormalities. The following review identifies the mechanisms through which hyperglycemia causes mitochondrial dysfunction in liver. (c) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.