Metal-Sulfur Metabolic Derangement And Regulated Cell Death In Age-Related Cardiovascular Diseases: Mechanisms, Biomarkers, And Emerging Interventions
As we age, our cardiovascular system becomes more vulnerable to various diseases. Recent research highlights that beyond traditional forms of cell death, specific types of regulated cell death play a significant role in this process. These include “ferroptosis,” a form of cell death driven by iron-dependent lipid damage, and “cuproptosis,” which is triggered by copper accumulation.
These processes are intricately linked to how our bodies manage essential metals like iron and copper, as well as the metabolism of sulfur-containing molecules. When these delicate balances are disrupted, it can lead to oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, ultimately causing damage to heart cells and blood vessels. This damage contributes to the development and worsening of age-related cardiovascular conditions such as heart failure, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), and cardiac fibrosis (scarring of heart tissue).
Understanding these underlying mechanisms opens new avenues for intervention. By identifying specific indicators in the body (biomarkers) related to these metal-sulfur imbalances and cell death pathways, doctors might be able to better assess risk and diagnose age-related heart diseases earlier. Furthermore, this knowledge could pave the way for novel treatments, including targeted therapies that modulate these cell death processes or correct metabolic derangements, potentially slowing down or preventing the progression of cardiovascular diseases in older adults.
Source: link to paper