Mitophagy and Obesity Induced Cardiomyopathy

Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of death in obese and diabetic patients. Structural damage and functional impairment of mitochondria contribute to obesity and diabetic heart diseases. However, very little is known about the involvement of mitochondria clearance machinery, particular mitophagy, in the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy. We seek to understand how alterations of lipid metabolism regulate mitophagy. Our study will provide initial evidence to determine whether mitophagy can be targeted therapeutically for obesity/diabetes induced cardiomyopathy.