Mitochondrial autophagy in diabetes-related cognitive decline and skin ulcers: Mechanistic insights and therapeutic implications

Diabetic skin ulcers significantly reduce the quality of life of patients with diabetes, and diabetes-related cognitive impairment is a cognitive deterioration that happens along the course of diabetes. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a major pathophysiology of skin ulcers and cognitive deterioration associated with diabetes. An essential component of the mitochondrial quality control system is mitochondrial autophagy, which aids in the removal of faulty mitochondria; preserving the health and regular operation of mitochondria requires both the preservation of mitochondrial function and the preservation of mitochondrial quality and activity. This review highlights key mitophagy pathways, including PINK1/Parkin-dependent and receptor-mediated mechanisms, and emphasizes their differential roles in diabetes-related cognitive impairment and skin ulcer healing, thereby providing a mechanistic framework for the development of targeted mitophagy-based therapeutic strategies.