Diabetic Cardiomyopathy and Cell Death: Focus on Metal-Mediated Cell Death

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Cell Biology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a significant complication of diabetes, characterized by cardiac myocyte death.
• Cardiac cell death has been recognized as a key factor in DCM pathogenesis since 1972.
• Previous reviews have highlighted the role of various cell death pathways in DCM.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an updated review on cell death mechanisms in DCM, focusing on metal-mediated cell death.
• To emphasize the potential roles of ferroptosis and cuproptosis in DCM development.
• To stimulate further research into therapeutic strategies targeting cell death in DCM.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating cardiac cell death in DCM.
• Analysis of recent findings on apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and cuproptosis.
• Focus on metal-dependent cell death mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Over two decades, significant research has identified diverse cell death mechanisms in DCM.
• Emerging evidence points to ferroptosis and cuproptosis as critical contributors to DCM.
• Metal-mediated cell death pathways are increasingly implicated in cardiac pathology.

Conclusions:

• Cardiac myocyte death, particularly metal-dependent forms like ferroptosis and cuproptosis, plays a crucial role in DCM.
• Further investigation into these pathways is essential for developing novel therapeutic interventions.
• Targeting metal-mediated cell death may offer a promising strategy to prevent or treat DCM.