Inflammation and metabolic dysregulation in diabetic cardiomyopathy

Abstract

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is characterized by structural and functional alterations in the heart muscle of people with diabetes that finally lead to heart failure. Metabolic disturbances characterized by increased lipid oxidation, intramyocardial triglyceride accumulation and reduced glucose utilization have all been involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy. On the other hand, evidences arisen in the recent years point to a potential link between chronic low-grade inflammation in the heart and metabolic dysregulation. Interestingly, the progression of heart failure and cardiac hypertrophy usually entails the activation of pro-inflammatory pathways. Therefore, in this chapter we summarize novel insights into the crosstalk between inflammatory processes and metabolic dysregulation in the failing heart during diabetes.