Emerging evidence suggests that ferroptosis is highly correlated with the pathogenesis of
acute kidney injury (AKI). Ferroptosis, an
iron-dependent form of cell death, is manifested by a toxic accumulation of
lipid peroxides and ultrastructural changes in mitochondria. We herein investigated the effect of
Visomitin (SKQ1), a novel mitochondria-targeting
antioxidant, on several AKI models in vivo and in vitro. Our results revealed that SKQ1 treatment greatly reversed renal outcomes in
cisplatin,
ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), or
folic acid-induced AKI models. These effects were reflected in attenuated levels of renal injury
biomarkers, histologic indices of tubular injury, and inflammatory infiltration in the SKQ1-treated groups. Transcriptomics analysis depicted ferroptosis signaling as the most pronounced pathway downregulated after SKQ1 treatment. Consequently, administration of SKQ1 significantly ameliorated
lipid peroxide accumulation and inhibited ferroptosis in the kidneys of mice with AKI. In cultured human proximal tubule epithelial cells (HK2), SKQ1 treatment markedly mitigated
cisplatin-induced mitochondrial
reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, resulting in lower levels of lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis. In conclusion, SKQ1 treatment protected against ischemic- or nephrotoxic-induced AKI by inhibiting ferroptosis in vivo and in vitro. These results could facilitate a broader understanding of the interaction between mitochondrial
antioxidants and ferroptotic defense mechanisms, providing a possible therapeutic strategy in AKI.