The Potential Mechanism of D-Amino Acids – Mitochondria Axis in the Progression of Diabetic Kidney Disease

• Published in: Kidney international reports Vol. 10; no. 2; pp. 343 - 354
• Main Authors: Thuy Linh, Hoang, Nakade, Yusuke, Wada, Takashi, Iwata, Yasunori
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.02.2025; Elsevier
• Subjects: D-amino acid; diabetic kidney disease; gut microbiota; mitochondria; oxidative stress; Review; ROS production; diabetic kidney disease; D-amino acid; mitochondria; ROS production; gut microbiota; oxidative stress
• ISSN: 2468-0249; 2468-0249
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2024.11.008

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a major complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) and stands out as the leading cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide. There is increasing evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction, including impaired mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics, and oxidative stress, contributes to the development and progression of DKD. D-amino acids (D-AAs), which are enantiomers of L-AAs, have recently been detected in various living organisms and are acknowledged to play important roles in numerous physiological processes in the human body. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that D-AA levels in blood or urine could serve as useful biomarkers for reflecting renal function. The physiological roles of D-AAs are implicated in the regulation of cellular proliferation, oxidative stress, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and innate immunity. This article reviews current evidence relating to D-AAs and mitochondrial dysfunction and proposes a potential interaction and contribution of the D-AAs–mitochondria axis in DKD pathophysiology and progression. This insight could provide novel therapeutic approaches for preventing or ameliorating DKD based on this biological axis.