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Review
. 2025 Jun;17(6):e70116.
doi: 10.1111/1753-0407.70116.

Potential Significance of Targeting Ferroptosis for Intervention of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

Qian Lei  1   2 , Burton B Yang  3 , Juanjuan Lyu  4   5
Affiliations
Review

Potential Significance of Targeting Ferroptosis for Intervention of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

Qian Lei et al. J Diabetes. 2025 Jun.

Abstract

Background: Diabetes represents a significant global health concern, with diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) emerging as a primary cause of mortality among individuals with diabetes. Despite the prevalence of DCM, advancements in therapeutic and preventative strategies remain constrained.

Methods: Recent studies were reviewed to provide a comprehensive summary of pathogenesis and clinical treatment of DCM, effect of ferroptosis, and potential value of ferroptosis inhibitors in DCM intervention.

Results: A growing body of research indicates that oxidative stress, inflammatory reactions, and other factors play a role in the onset and progression of DCM. Oxidative stress within cardiomyocytes is a primary mechanism implicated in the development of DCM, whereby heightened intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) facilitate cell death via ferroptosis. Ferroptosis inhibitors hold great promise as therapeutic agents.

Conclusions: This review provides an overview of the involvement of iron homeostasis regulation, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis in DCM, and the significance of ferroptosis in the prevention and treatment of DCM.

Keywords: diabetes; diabetic cardiomyopathy; ferroptosis; lipid peroxidation; reactive oxygen species.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
The pathogenesis of DCM.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Mechanisms of Ferroptosis in DCM.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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