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POSTER PRESENTATION / POSTER SUNUM

Mitochondrial Pharmacotherapy

Gizem Erdoğan DURAN Begüm YURDAKÖK DIKMEN
1,*
2

¹Ankara University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology,
Ankara, TÜRKİYE
2 Ankara University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology,
Ankara, TÜRKİYE

*Correspound Author: gizemerdgnvet@gmail.com

Mitochondrial pharmacotherapy refers to therapeutic approaches aimed at correcting
mitochondrial dysfunctions through the use of pharmacological agents targeting
mitochondria. Within this scope, antioxidant and metabolic support agents such as
coenzyme Q10, elamipretide, idebenone, and nicotinamide riboside are considered primary
examples of conventional mitochondrial pharmacotherapy.

In recent years, however, cellular-based strategies that go beyond the boundaries of
classical pharmacotherapy and aim to directly restore mitochondrial function have been
developed. In this context, mitochondrial transplantation emerges as an innovative method,
reflecting the evolving landscape of mitochondrial therapeutics.

Mitochondrial transplantation is based on the isolation of healthy mitochondria from
one cell or tissue and their transfer into target cells or tissues exhibiting mitochondrial
dysfunction. This approach is employed to support cellular energy production and to restore
mitochondrial function. The intercellular transfer of mitochondria occurs through
mechanisms such as tunneling nanotubes (TNT), extracellular vesicles, dendritic networks,
and cell fusion.

Transplantation has been reported to yield promising outcomes in disease models
involving organs such as the liver, brain, heart, kidney, and lung. Following the procedure,
biological effects such as increased ATP levels, reduction of oxidative stress and
inflammatory responses, suppression of apoptosis, and reintegration of the mitochondrial
network via fusion have been observed. These improvements are reflected clinically in
reduced ischemic lesion sizes, recovery of organ functions (cardiac, neurological, pulmonary,
and renal parameters), and decreased histopathological damage.

This review will address the pharmacotherapeutic applications, clinical potential, and
possible adverse effects of mitochondrial transplantation. The limited number of studies in
the field of veterinary medicine and the lack of standardized, optimized protocols for current
applications make this topic particularly significant in the literature.

Keywords: Mitochondrial Pharmacotherapy, Mitochondrial Transplantation, Oxidative Stress,
ATP.

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