Mitochondrial dysfunction in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases associated with cardiolipin remodeling

Cardiolipin (CL) is an acidic phospholipid almost exclusively found in the inner mitochondrial membrane, that not only stabilizes the structure and function of individual components of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, but regulates relevant mitochondrial processes, like mitochondrial dynamics and cristae structure maintenance among others. Alterations in CL due to peroxidation, correlates with loss of such mitochondrial activities and disease progression. In this review it is recapitulated the current state of knowledge of the role of cardiolipin remodeling associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. •Cardiolipin content regulates the function, structure and dynamics of mitochondria.•Metabolic and cardiovascular diseases concur with CL-altered biosynthesis/remodeling.•CL-induced peroxidase activity of cyt c regulates apoptosis in such diseases.