Amelioration of aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity requires protection of renal mitochondria.

Cytotoxic effects of some therapeutic drugs, including those used for antibacterial treatment, can involve mitochondria by inducing their permeabilization, followed by cell death and organ malfunctioning. This suggests that a strategy to preserve tissue mitochondria could preserve normal organ functioning. Morales et al. reveal that the antidiabetic drug metformin prevents gentamicin-induced nephropathy through a mitochondria-dependent pathway, normalizing oxidative stress and restoring mitochondrial functional integrity.