Effect of diabetes on alteration of metabolism in cardiac myocytes: therapeutic implications

Diabetes Technol Ther. 2011 Nov;13(11):1155-60. doi: 10.1089/dia.2011.0120. Epub 2011 Jul 13.

Abstract

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a distinct entity in humans. It leads to ventricular dysfunction independent of and additive to coronary artery disease and hypertension. Clinical and experimental studies have pointed to the role of metabolic derangements in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Altered insulin signaling in diabetes leads to decreased myocyte glucose uptake and utilization, associated with an increased concentration of free fatty acids. This results in decreased glucose oxidation and increased fatty acid oxidation. Fatty acids increase mitochondrial oxygen consumption for ATP production and stimulate the uncoupling proteins in mitochondria. These proteins decrease the mitochondrial protein gradient, leading to fall in ATP production. The resultant defect in myocardial energy production impairs myocyte contraction and diastolic function. This is the hallmark of diabetic cardiomyopathy at earlier stages. In later stages diabetes impairs the myocyte ischemic defense mechanism, leading to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Other factors contributing toward causation of diabetic cardiomyopathy are collagen accumulation leading to reduced myocardial compliance, accumulation of advanced glycation end product-modified extracellular matrix proteins with subsequent inelasticity of vessel walls and myocytes, abnormal myocardial calcium handling leading to altered mechanics, endothelial dysfunction, cardiac autonomic neuropathy, and impairment of ischemic preconditioning. Trimetazidine acts a metabolic switch, favoring glucose over free fatty acids as the substrate for metabolism in cardiac myocytes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / biosynthesis
  • Collagen / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / metabolism*
  • Diabetic Cardiomyopathies / drug therapy
  • Diabetic Cardiomyopathies / metabolism*
  • Energy Metabolism / drug effects
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / metabolism
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / metabolism
  • Female
  • Glycation End Products, Advanced / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Ion Channels / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mitochondria, Heart / drug effects
  • Mitochondria, Heart / metabolism
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / metabolism
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / drug effects
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism*
  • Oxygen Consumption / drug effects
  • Trimetazidine / pharmacology
  • Uncoupling Protein 1
  • Vasodilator Agents / pharmacology
  • Ventricular Dysfunction / drug therapy
  • Ventricular Dysfunction / metabolism

Substances

  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified
  • Glycation End Products, Advanced
  • Insulin
  • Ion Channels
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Uncoupling Protein 1
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Collagen
  • Trimetazidine