Possible roles of mitochondrial dysfunction in neuropathy

Abstract

Objectives

The present review aims to present and discuss the consistent and inconsistent evidence regarding the associations between mitochondrial dysfunction and several neuropathic models, including trauma-induced, chemotherapy-induced, diabetes-induced and HIV-associated sensory neuropathy.

Methods

The searching strategy and inclusion criteria for this review are all research articles in the PubMed database published before July 2019. We used the search terms ‘mitochondria’ and ‘neuropathy’ for the present review and non-English articles were excluded.

Results

Damage to mitochondria via trauma, chemotherapy drugs, hyperglycaemia and HIV infection has been widely discussed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of neuropathy. Several mechanisms of mitochondrial damages have been proposed.

Conclusion

The damage of mitochondria results in cellular apoptosis, which appears to be one of the key factors in the pathogenesis of neuropathy. Novel therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondria could be a potential therapeutic target in neuropathy.

Keywords:

• Neuropathic pain
• mitochondria
• oxidative stress
• pain

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Thailand Research Fund under Grant RTA6080003 (SCC); Senior Research Scholar Grant by National Research Council of Thailand (SCC); a NSTDA Research Chair Grant from the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NC) and a Chiang Mai University Center of Excellence Award (NC).