Inhibition of Mitochondrial Fission by Drp-1 Blockade by Short-Term Leptin and Mdvi-1 Treatment Improves White Adipose Tissue Abnormalities in Obesity and Diabetes

Abstract Background Obesity and type 2 diabetes are chronic diseases characterized by insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction and morphology abnormalities. Objective Herein, we investigated if dysregulation of mitochondrial dynamics and biogenesis is involved in an animal model of obesity and diabetes. Methods The effect of short-term leptin and mdivi-1 –a selective inhibitor of Drp-1 fission-protein– treatment on mitochondrial dynamics and biogenesis was evaluated in epididymal white adipose tissue (WAT) from male ob/ob mice. Results An increase in Drp-1 protein levels and a decrease in Mfn2 and OPA-1 protein expression were observed with enhanced and sustained mitochondrial fragmentation in ob/ob mice compared to wt C57BL/6 animals (p Conclusions Pharmacological targeting of Drp-1 fission protein may be a potential novel therapeutic tool for obesity and type 2 diabetes.