Melika Katebi

PhD student

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia, leading to severe microvascular complications. Chronic hyperglycemia causes hemodynamic alterations in renal microcirculation and structural changes in the glomerulus, resulting in diabetic nephropathy. The progression of diabetic nephropathy involves injury of renal tubules and glomerulosclerosis.

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent, non-apoptotic cell death driven by lipid peroxidation, is implicated in kidney tubular necrosis, particularly acute kidney injury. My research focuses on the link between ferroptosis and diabetes and I investigate the role of hyperglycemia in tissues and if this promotes ferroptosis and synchronized regulated necrosis. To explore the role of ferroptosis in diabetic nephropathy, I am using in vitro and in vivo models, including ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Research interests:

• Diabetic nephropathy

• Ferroptosis

• Antioxidant balance