Mitochondrial calcium handling and heart disease in diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus-induced heart disease, including diabetic cardiomyopathy, is an important medical problem and is difficult to treat. Diabetes mellitus increases the risk for heart failure and decreases cardiac myocyte function, which are linked to changes in cardiac mitochondrial energy metabolism. The free mitochondrial calcium concentration ([Ca2+]m) is fundamental in activating the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes and ATP production and is also known to regulate the activity of key mitochondrial dehydrogenases. The mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex (MCUC) plays a major role in mediating mitochondrial Ca2+ import, and its expression and function therefore may have a marked impact on cardiac myocyte metabolism and function. Here, we summarize the pathophysiological role of [Ca2+]m handling and MCUC in the diabetic heart. In addition, we evaluate potential therapeutic targets, directed to the machinery that regulates mitochondrial calcium handling, to alleviate diabetes-related cardiac disease. •Diabetic cardiac disease is associated with abnormal mitochondrial calcium handling.•Mitochondrial calcium levels are decreased in diabetic cardiomyocytes.•Protein expression of the MCUC is altered in diabetes.•Expression of MCU restores mitochondrial calcium levels in spite of diabetes.