Title:Ferroptotic Cell Death: New Regulatory Mechanisms for Metabolic Diseases
VOLUME: 21 ISSUE: 5
Author(s):Yifei Le, Zhijie Zhang , Cui Wang and Dezhao Lu*
Affiliation:College of Life Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, College of Life Science, Zhejiang Chinese medical university, Hangzhou, College of Life Science, Zhejiang Chinese medical university, Hangzhou, College of Life Science, Zhejiang Chinese medical university, Hangzhou
Keywords:Ferroptosis, iron, atherosclerosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, cardiomyopathy, metabolism.
Abstract:Background: Cell death is a fundamental biological phenomenon that contributes to the
pathogenesis of various diseases. Regulation of iron and iron metabolism has received considerable
research interests especially concerning the progression of metabolic diseases.
Discussion: Emerging evidence shows that ferroptosis, a non-apoptotic programmed cell death induced
by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, contributes to the development of complex diseases such
as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, cardiomyopathy, renal ischemia-reperfusion, and neurodegenerative
diseases. Therefore, inhibiting ferroptosis can improve the pathophysiology of associated metabolic
diseases. This review describes the vital role of ferroptosis in mediating the development of certain
metabolic diseases. Besides, the potential risk of iron and ferroptosis in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular
diseases is also described. Iron overload and ferroptosis are potential secondary causes of death
in metabolic diseases. Moreover, this review also provides potential novel approaches against ferroptosis
based on recent research advances.
Conclusion: Several controversies exist concerning mechanisms underlying ferroptotic cell death in
metabolic diseases, particularly in atherosclerosis. Since ferroptosis participates in the progression of
metabolic diseases such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), there is a need to develop new drugs
targeting ferroptosis to alleviate such diseases.
