Mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy in type 2 diabetes: pathophysiology and therapeutic targets.

Type 2 diabetes, which is related to oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world. In the last decade, alterations in autophagy have been shown to play a fundamental role in the development and control of type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, mitophagy has been recognised as a key player in eliminating dysfunctional mitochondria in this disease. Recently, much progress has been made in understanding the molecular events associated with oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and alterations in autophagy and mitophagy in type 2 diabetes. Despite increasing evidence of a relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and alterations of autophagy and mitophagy and their role in the pathophysiolology of type 2 diabetes, effective therapeutic strategies to combat the disease through targeting mitochondria, autophagy and mitophagy are yet to be implemented. This review provides a wide perspective of the existing literature concerning the complicated interplay between autophagy, mitophagy and mitochondrial dysfunction in type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, potential therapeutic targets based on these molecular mechanisms are explored.