Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (6): 1508-1515.doi: 10.12307/2026.576

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Mitochondrial mechanism and intervention therapy in diabetic cystopathy

Lyu Xiaofan1, Huang Yi2, Ding Liucheng1   

  1. 1The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu Province, China; 2Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214000, Jiangsu Province, China
  • Received:2024-12-06 Accepted:2025-03-14 Online:2026-02-28 Published:2025-07-17
  • Contact: Ding Liucheng, MD, Associate chief physician, Associate professor, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu Province, China
  • About author:Lyu Xiaofan, Master candidate, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu Province, China
  • Supported by:
    the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 82200867 (to HY)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial dysfunction is a key mechanism underlying the pathogenesis and progression of diabetic cystopathy. Recent studies have suggested that drugs targeting mitochondrial metabolism, oxidative stress, and apoptosis pathways can inhibit bladder tissue degeneration, offering novel therapeutic directions for diabetic cystopathy.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between mitochondrial abnormalities and diabetic cystopathy and to summarize the mechanisms of pharmacological interventions targeting mitochondrial function.
METHODS: The key words are “mitochondria, diabetes, diabetic cystopathy, diabetic bladder dysfunction, detrusor, urothelium, neuron, peripheral nerves” in Chinese and English. Relevant literature was retrieved from CNKI, WanFang, PubMed, and Web of Science. Selected articles were systematically screened and analyzed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: During the progression of diabetic cystopathy, mitochondria in detrusor muscle, urothelium, and peripheral nerve cells exhibit alterations in characterization, activity, function, and behavior. Under diabetic conditions, mitochondrial damage leads to increased reactive oxygen species production, increased cytochrome C release, reduced Bcl-2/Bax ratio, enhanced nuclear translocation of apoptosis-inducing factors, and activation of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase/mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Mitochondria also act as damage-associated molecular patterns to regulate NLRP3, triggering inflammatory responses. Disrupted mitochondrial energy metabolism involves AMP-activated protein kinase/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α signaling axis-mediated phenotypic changes, decreased levels of respiratory chain complexes I, II, and IV, impaired oxidative phosphorylation, inhibited tricarboxylic acid cycle, and reduced mitochondrial spare respiratory capacity. Novel therapeutic agents or formulations can ameliorate diabetic cystopathy by alleviating oxidative stress, exerting anti-inflammatory effects, and modulating energy-sensing pathways to restore mitochondrial function. Although mitochondrial roles in other diabetic complications have been extensively studied, research on their involvement in diabetic cystopathy remains insufficient and warrants further exploration.

Key words: diabetic cystopathy, mitochondria, detrusor cells, urothelial cells, peripheral nerve cells, engineered tissue construction 

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