Cyanide preconditioning protects brain endothelial and NT2 neuron-like cells against glucotoxicity: Role of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and HIF-1α

► Mitochondrial preconditioning induced by cyanide protects brain endothelial and neuronal cells against glucotoxicity. ► Mitochondrial preconditioning involves a spatial and structural reorganization of the mitochondrial network. ► Functional mitochondria are required for brain endothelial and neuronal cells tolerance. ► A crosstalk between mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and hypoxia inducible factor 1alpha underlies brain cells tolerance.