Polydatin and Nicotinamide Prevent Iron Accumulation and Lipid Peroxidation in Cellular Models of Mitochondrial Diseases

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of non-apoptotic cell death, is regulated by a complex network involving lipid metabolism, iron homeostasis, and the oxidative-reductive system, with iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation as key drivers. Mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS overproduction often underlie the pathogenesis of mitochondrial diseases, for which treatment options are limited, emphasizing the need for novel therapies. In this study, we investigated whether polydatin and nicotinamide could reverse ferroptosis-related pathological features in cellular models derived from patients with pathogenic <i>GFM1</i> variants. Mutant fibroblasts showed increased iron and lipofuscin accumulation, altered expression of iron metabolism-related proteins, elevated lipid peroxidation, and heightened susceptibility to erastin-induced ferroptosis. Treatment with polydatin and nicotinamide effectively corrected these alterations and reduced iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation in induced neurons. Furthermore, chloramphenicol treatment in control cells mimicked the mutant phenotype, suggesting that these pathological changes are linked to the mitochondrial protein synthesis defect characteristic of pathogenic <i>GFM1</i> variants. Notably, adding vitamin E to the polydatin and nicotinamide co-treatment resulted in a reduction in the minimum effective concentration, suggesting potential benefits of its inclusion. In conclusion, the combination of polydatin, nicotinamide, and vitamin E could represent a promising therapeutic option for patients with mitochondrial disorders caused by pathogenic <i>GFM1</i> variants.