Abstract: As a severe microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has overtaken glomerulonephritis as a primary cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in China. Mitochondria serve as a hub of cellular energy metabolism. In kidney, mitochondrial function plays a crucial role in supplying energy for normal physiological activities. And kidney has the second highest mitochondrial content among human organs. Typically appearing early in the development of DKD, mitochondrial dysfunction often precedes clinical manifestations. Thus it is crucial to examine the role of mitochondrial injury in the pathogenesis of DKD. Focusing upon the mechanism of mitochondrial dysfunction in DKD, this review provided potential insights to explore how to delay the development of DKD and seek novel therapeutic targets.