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Research Article

Melatonin attenuates lung ischemia-reperfusion injury through SIRT3 signaling-dependent mitophagy in type 2 diabetic rats

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Pages 101-115 | Received 30 Nov 2022, Accepted 07 May 2023, Published online: 02 Jun 2023
 

Abstract

Background: Lung ischemia-reperfusion injury (LIRI) remains the major cause of primary lung dysfunction after lung transplantation. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an independent risk factor for morbidity and mortality following lung transplantation. Mitochondrial dysfunction is recognized as a key mediator in the pathogenesis of diabetic LIRI. Melatonin has been reported to be a safe and potent preserving mitochondrial function agent. This study aimed at investigating the potential therapeutic effect and mechanisms of melatonin on diabetic LIRI. Methods: High-fat-diet-fed streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats were exposed to melatonin, with or without administration of the SIRT3 short hairpin ribonucleic acid (shRNA) plasmid following a surgical model of ischemia-reperfusion injury of the lung. Lung function, inflammation, oxidative stress, cell apoptosis, and mitochondrial function were examined. Results: The SIRT3 signaling and mitophagy were suppressed following diabetic LIRI. Treatment with melatonin markedly induced mitophagy and restored SIRT3 expression. Melatonin treatment also attenuated subsequent diabetic LIRI by improving lung functional recovery, suppressing inflammation, decreasing oxidative damage, diminishing cell apoptosis, and preserving mitochondrial function. However, either administration of SIRT3 shRNA or an autophagy antagonist 3-methyladenine (3-MA) suppressing mitophagy, and compromised the protective action of melatonin. Conclusion: Data indicated that melatonin attenuates diabetic LIRI through activation of SIRT3 signaling-mediated mitophagy.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Data availability statement

The datasets supporting the conclusions of this article are included within the article.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 82001488), Heilongjiang Postdoctoral Fund (No. LBH-Z19172), and The Postgraduate Research Innovation Fund of Harbin Medical University (No. YJSCX2020-44HYD).