A review of mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetic sarcopenia: Mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment approaches

Diabetic sarcopenia is a common complication of diabetes, substantially impacting patients' quality of life and prognosis. Its pathogenesis is closely related to energy metabolism, with mitochondria-often referred to as the cellular "powerhouse"-playing a central role in this process. This review focuses on the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetic sarcopenia, emphasizing mechanisms such as energy metabolism imbalance, oxidative stress-induced damage, and abnormalities in mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics. Additionally, we discussed current research on diagnostic and therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondrial dysfunction. This narrative review aims to provide a theoretical foundation for a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of diabetic sarcopenia and the development of novel therapeutic approaches.