Erastin-induced ferroptosis is a regulator for the growth and function of human pancreatic islet-like cell clusters

A Golgi-targeted fluorescent probe for monitoring polarity dynamic during programmed cell death

Programmed cell death (PCD) is a controlled form of cell death and it plays an essential role in maintaining homeostasis. Golgi apparatus works as the hotspot during the early event of PCD and Golgi polarity, a vital microenvironment factor, can be regarded as an indicator of physiological status. Combined Golgi-targeted group phenylsulfonamide as electron acceptor group and triphenylamine as electron donor group, a novel Golgi-targeted fluorescent probe GTO had been developed. GTO showed good sensitivity and selectivity to polarity and its remarkable photostability makes it potentially useful for long-term cellular monitoring. In practice, GTO demonstrated good cell permeability and Golgi targeting capabilities. According to our results, GTO was applied to reveal the polarity increase during the early event of PCD and the encouraging results illustrated that GTO was an imaging tool for monitoring polarity in Golgi apparatus and the exploration in early diagnosis and drug discovery.

Mechanism and functional verification of genes by virulence factors of P. gingivalis in ferroptosis

OBJECTIVE

Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is a key etiological agent in periodontitis and functions as a facultative intracellular microorganism and involves many virulence factors. These virulence factors participate in multiple intracellular processes, like ferroptosis, the mechanistic underpinnings remain to be elucidated. Aim of this study was to investigate the effects of virulence factors on the host cells.

DESIGN

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with 4% paraformaldehyde-fixed P. gingivalis, and subsequent alterations in gene expression were profiled via RNA-seq. Further, the molecules associated with ferroptosis were quantitatively analyzed using qRT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTS

A total of 1125 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, encompassing 225 upregulated and 900 downregulated. Ferroptosis was conspicuously represented in the kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis, with notable upregulation of Heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1), Ferritin light chain (FTL), and Solute carrier family 3 member 2 (SLC3A2) and downregulation of Scavenger receptor class A member 5 (SCARA5) and glutaminase (GLS). Random selection of DEGs for validation through qRT-PCR corroborated the RNA-Seq data (R2 = 0.93). Kelch like ECH associated protein 1 (Keap1) protein expression decreased after 4 and 8 h, while NFE2 like bZIP transcription factor 2 (Nrf2) and HMOX1 were elevated, with significant nuclear translocation of Nrf2.

CONCLUSIONS

The virulence factors of P. gingivalis may potentially instigating ferroptosis through activation of the Keap1-Nrf2-HMOX1 signaling cascade, in conjunction with modulating the expression of other ferroptosis-associated elements. Further research is necessary to achieve a thorough comprehension of these complex molecular interactions.

Ferroptosis: principles and significance in health and disease

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of cell death characterized by uncontrolled lipid peroxidation, is governed by molecular networks involving diverse molecules and organelles. Since its recognition as a non-apoptotic cell death pathway in 2012, ferroptosis has emerged as a crucial mechanism in numerous physiological and pathological contexts, leading to significant therapeutic advancements across a wide range of diseases. This review summarizes the fundamental molecular mechanisms and regulatory pathways underlying ferroptosis, including both GPX4-dependent and -independent antioxidant mechanisms. Additionally, we examine the involvement of ferroptosis in various pathological conditions, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, sepsis, ischemia-reperfusion injury, autoimmune disorders, and metabolic disorders. Specifically, we explore the role of ferroptosis in response to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, nanotherapy, and targeted therapy. Furthermore, we discuss pharmacological strategies for modulating ferroptosis and potential biomarkers for monitoring this process. Lastly, we elucidate the interplay between ferroptosis and other forms of regulated cell death. Such insights hold promise for advancing our understanding of ferroptosis in the context of human health and disease.

Advances on the Role of Ferroptosis in Ionizing Radiation Response

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent programmed cell death mode that is distinct from other cell death modes, and radiation is able to stimulate cellular oxidative stress and induce the production of large amounts of reactive oxygen radicals, which in turn leads to the accumulation of lipid peroxide and the onset of ferroptosis. In this review, from the perspective of the role of ferroptosis in generating a radiation response following cellular irradiation, the relationship between ferroptosis induced by ionizing radiation stress and the response to ionizing radiation is reviewed, including the roles of MAPK and Nrf2 signaling pathways in ferroptosis, resulting from the oxidative stress response to ionizing radiation, the metabolic regulatory role of the p53 gene in ferroptosis, and regulatory modes of action of iron metabolism and iron metabolism-related regulatory proteins in promoting and inhibiting ferroptosis. It provides some ideas for the follow-up research to explore the specific mechanism and regulatory network of ferroptosis in response to ionizing radiation.

Natural compounds efficacy in complicated diabetes: A new twist impacting ferroptosis

Ferroptosis, as a way of cell death, participates in the body's normal physiological and pathological regulation. Recent studies have shown that ferroptosis may damage glucose-stimulated islets β Insulin secretion and programmed cell death of T2DM target organs are involved in the pathogenesis of T2DM and its complications. Targeting suppression of ferroptosis with specific inhibitors may provide new therapeutic opportunities for previously untreated T2DM and its target organs. Current studies suggest that natural bioactive compounds, which are abundantly available in drugs, foods, and medicinal plants for the treatment of T2DM and its target organs, have recently received significant attention for their various biological activities and minimal toxicity, and that many natural compounds appear to have a significant role in the regulation of ferroptosis in T2DM and its target organs. Therefore, this review summarized the potential treatment strategies of natural compounds as ferroptosis inhibitors to treat T2DM and its complications, providing potential lead compounds and natural phytochemical molecular nuclei for future drug research and development to intervene in ferroptosis in T2DM.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: ferroptosis related mechanisms and potential drugs

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is considered a "multisystem" disease that simultaneously suffers from metabolic diseases and hepatic steatosis. Some may develop into liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma. Given the close connection between metabolic diseases and fatty liver, it is urgent to identify drugs that can control metabolic diseases and fatty liver as a whole and delay disease progression. Ferroptosis, characterized by iron overload and lipid peroxidation resulting from abnormal iron metabolism, is a programmed cell death mechanism. It is an important pathogenic mechanism in metabolic diseases or fatty liver, and may become a key direction for improving MASLD. In this article, we have summarized the physiological and pathological mechanisms of iron metabolism and ferroptosis, as well as the connections established between metabolic diseases and fatty liver through ferroptosis. We have also summarized MASLD therapeutic drugs and potential active substances targeting ferroptosis, in order to provide readers with new insights. At the same time, in future clinical trials involving subjects with MASLD (especially with the intervention of the therapeutic drugs), the detection of serum iron metabolism levels and ferroptosis markers in patients should be increased to further explore the efficacy of potential drugs on ferroptosis.

Effects of Insulin on Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Ferroptosis in Primordial Germ Cells via PI3K-AKT-mTOR Signaling Pathway

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are essential for the genetic modification, resource conservation, and recovery of endangered breeds in chickens and need to remain viable and proliferative in vitro. Therefore, there is an urgent need to elucidate the functions of the influencing factors and their regulatory mechanisms. In this study, PGCs collected from Rugao yellow chicken embryonic eggs at Day 5.5 were cultured in media containing 0, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 μg/mL insulin. The results showed that insulin regulates cell proliferation in PGCs in a dose-dependent way, with an optimal dose of 10 μg/mL. Insulin mediates the mRNA expression of cell cycle-, apoptosis-, and ferroptosis-related genes. Insulin at 50 μg/mL and 100 μg/mL slowed down the proliferation with elevated ion content and GSH/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in PGCs compared to 10 μg/mL. In addition, insulin activates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway dose dependently. Collectively, this study demonstrates that insulin reduces apoptosis and ferroptosis and enhances cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner via the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway in PGCs, providing a new addition to the theory of the regulatory role of the growth and proliferation of PGC in vitro cultures.

The Application of Nano-drug Delivery System With Sequential Drug Release Strategies in Cancer Therapy

Currently, multidrug combinations are often used clinically to improve the efficacy of oncology chemotherapy, but multidrug combinations often lead to multidrug resistance and decreased performance, resulting in more severe side effects than monotherapy. Therefore, sequential drug release strategies in time and space as well as nano-carriers that respond to the tumor microenvironment have been developed. First, the advantage of the sequential release strategy is that they can load multiple drugs simultaneously to meet their spatiotemporal requirements and stability, thus exerting synergistic effects of two or more drugs. Second, in some cases, sequential drug delivery of different molecular targets can improve the sensitivity of cancer cells to drugs. Control the metabolism of cancer cells, and remodel tumor vasculature. Finally, some drug combinations with built-in release control are used for sequential administration. This paper focuses on the use of nanotechnology and built-in control device to construct drug delivery carriers with different stimulation responses, thus achieving the sequential release of drugs. Therefore, the nano-sequential delivery carrier provides a new idea and platform for the therapeutic effect of various drugs and the synergistic effect among drugs.

Identification of ferroptosis-related genes in type 2 diabetes mellitus based on machine learning

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which has a high incidence and several harmful consequences, poses a severe danger to human health. Research on the function of ferroptosis in T2DM is increasing. This study uses bioinformatics techniques identify new diagnostic T2DM biomarkers associated with ferroptosis.

METHODS

To identify ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) that are differentially expressed between T2DM patients and healthy individuals, we first obtained T2DM sequencing data and FRGs from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and FerrDb database. Then, drug-gene interaction networks and competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks linked to the marker genes were built after marker genes were filtered by two machine learning algorithms (LASSO and SVM-RFE algorithms). Finally, to confirm the expression of marker genes, the GSE76895 dataset was utilized. The protein and RNA expression of some marker genes in T2DM and nondiabetic tissues was also examined by Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF) and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR).

RESULTS

We obtained 58 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with ferroptosis. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses showed that these DEGs were significantly enriched in hypoxia and ferroptosis. Subsequently, eight marker genes (SCD, CD44, HIF1A, BCAT2, MTF1, HILPDA, NR1D2, and MYCN) were screened by LASSO and SVM-RFE machine learning algorithms, and a model was constructed based on these eight genes. This model also has high diagnostic power. In addition, based on these eight genes, we obtained 48 drugs and constructed a complex ceRNA network map. Finally, Western blotting, IHC, IF, and qRT-PCR results of clinical samples further confirmed the results of public databases.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnosis and aetiology of T2DM can be greatly aided by eight FRGs, providing novel therapeutic avenues.

Sennoside A restrains TRAF6 level to modulate ferroptosis, inflammation and cognitive impairment in aging mice with Alzheimer's Disease

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease and a momentous cause of dementia in the elderly. Sennoside A (SA) is an anthraquinone compound and possesses decisive protective functions in various human diseases. The purpose of this research was to elucidate the protective effect of SA against AD and investigate its mechanism.

METHODS

Male APPswe/PS1dE9 (APP/PS1) transgenic mice with a C57BL/6J background were chosen as AD model. Age-matched nontransgenic littermates (C57BL/6 mice) were negative controls. SA's functions in AD in vivo were estimated by cognitive function analysis, Western blot, hematoxylin-eosin staining, TUNEL staining, Nissl staining, detection of Fe²⁺ levels, glutathione and malondialdehyde contents, and quantitative real-time PCR. Also, SA's functions in AD in LPS-induced BV2 cells were examined using Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, flow cytometry, quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and analysis of reactive oxygen species levels. Meanwhile, SA's mechanisms in AD were assessed by several molecular experiments.

RESULTS

Functionally, SA mitigated cognitive function, hippocampal neuronal apoptosis, ferroptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation in AD mice. Furthermore, SA reduced BV2 cell apoptosis, ferroptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation induced by LPS. Rescue assay revealed that SA abolished the high expressions of TRAF6 and p-P65 (NF-κB pathway-related proteins) induced by AD, and this impact was reversed after TRAF6 overexpression. Conversely, this impact was further enhanced after TRAF6 knockdown.

CONCLUSIONS

SA relieved ferroptosis, inflammation and cognitive impairment in aging mice with AD through decreasing TRAF6.

Oxygen Self-Generating Nanoreactor Mediated Ferroptosis Activation and Immunotherapy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

The hypoxia microenvironment of solid tumors poses a technological bottleneck for ferroptosis and immunotherapy in clinical oncology. Nanoreactors based on special physiological signals in tumor cells are able to avoid various tumor tolerance mechanisms by alleviating the intracellular hypoxia environment. Herein we reported a nanoreactor Cu_2-xSe that enabled the conversion of Cu elements between Cu⁺ and Cu²⁺ for the generation of O₂ and the consumption of intracellular GSH content. Furthermore, to enhance the catalytic and ferroptosis-inducing activities of the nanoreactors, the ferroptosis agonist Erastin was loaded on the ZIF-8 coating on the surface of Cu_2-xSe to up-regulate the expression of NOX4 protein, increase the intracellular H₂O₂ content, catalyze the Cu⁺ to produce O₂ and activate ferroptosis. In addition, the nanoreactors were simultaneously surface functionalized with PEG polymer and folic acid molecules, which ensured the in vivo blood circulation and tumor-specific uptake. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that the functionalized self-supplying nanoreactors can amplify the ability to generate O₂ and consume intracellular GSH via the interconversion of Cu elements Cu⁺ and Cu²⁺, and impair the GPX4/GSH pathway and HIF-1α protein expression. At the same time, by alleviating the intracellular hypoxia environment, the expression of miR301, a gene in the secreted exosomes was decreased, which ultimately affected the phenotype polarization of TAMs and increased the content of IFN γ secreted by CD8⁺ T cells, which further promoted the ferroptosis induced by Erastin-loaded nanoreactors. This combined therapeutic strategy of activating the tumor immune response and ferroptosis via self-supplying nanoreactors provides a potential strategy for clinical application.

Effects of Ferroptosis on Cardiovascular Diseases

Ferroptosis is a novel form of programmed cell death characterized by the accumulation of iron-dependent lipid peroxides, which causes membrane injury. Under the catalysis of iron ions, cells deficient in glutathione peroxidase (GPX4) cannot preserve the balance in lipid oxidative metabolism, and the buildup of reactive oxygen species on the membrane lipids leads to cell death. An increasing body of evidence suggests that ferroptosis plays a significant role in the development and occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. In this paper, we mainly elaborated on the molecular mechanisms regulating ferroptosis and its impact on cardiovascular disease to lay the groundwork for future studies on the prophylaxis and treatment of this patient population.

Role of ferroptosis inhibitors in the management of diabetes

Ferroptosis, the iron-dependent, lipid peroxide-mediated cell death, has garnered attention due to its critical involvement in crucial physiological and pathological cellular processes. Indeed, several studies have attributed its role in developing a range of disorders, including diabetes. As accumulating evidence further the understanding of ferroptotic mechanisms, the impact this specialized mode of cell death has on diabetic pathogenesis is still unclear. Several in vivo and in vitro studies have highlighted the association of ferroptosis with beta-cell death and insulin resistance, supported by observations of marked alterations in ferroptotic markers in experimental diabetes models. The constant improvement in understanding ferroptosis in diabetes has demonstrated it as a potential therapeutic target in diabetic management. In this regard, ferroptosis inhibitors promise to rescue pancreatic beta-cell function and alleviate diabetes and its complications. This review article elucidates the key ferroptotic pathways that mediate beta-cell death in diabetes, and its complications. In particular, we share our insight into the cross talk between ferroptosis and other hallmark pathogenic mediators such as oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress regulators relevant to diabetes progression. Further, we extensively summarize the recent developments on the role of ferroptosis inhibitors and their therapeutic action in alleviating diabetes and its complications.

Ferroptosis as a mechanism of non-ferrous metal toxicity

Ferroptosis is a recently discovered form of regulated cell death, implicated in multiple pathologies. Given that the toxicity elicited by some metals is linked to alterations in iron metabolism and induction of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, ferroptosis might be involved in such toxicity. Although direct evidence is insufficient, certain pioneering studies have demonstrated a crosstalk between metal toxicity and ferroptosis. Specifically, the mechanisms underlying metal-induced ferroptosis include induction of ferritinophagy, increased DMT-1 and TfR cellular iron uptake, mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mitoROS) generation, inhibition of Xc-system and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) activity, altogether resulting in oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. In addition, there is direct evidence of the role of ferroptosis in the toxicity of arsenic, cadmium, zinc, manganese, copper, and aluminum exposure. In contrast, findings on the impact of cobalt and nickel on ferroptosis are scant and nearly lacking altogether for mercury and especially lead. Other gaps in the field include limited studies on the role of metal speciation in ferroptosis and the critical cellular targets. Although further detailed studies are required, it seems reasonable to propose even at this early stage that ferroptosis may play a significant role in metal toxicity, and its modulation may be considered as a potential therapeutic tool for the amelioration of metal toxicity.

Starvation mediates pancreatic cancer cell sensitivity to ferroptosis via ERK1/2, JNK and changes in the cell mesenchymal state

Pancreatic cancer is a highly metastatic and therapy‑resistant disease. In the present study, the prospects of a novel approach to kill pancreatic cancer cells were examined: Starvation combined with ferroptosis induction. Established pancreatic cancer cell lines (Miapaca2, Panc‑1, Su.86.86 and T3M4), as well as a unique cell line, Capan‑26, which was originally derived in the authors' laboratory, were used. Cells were deprived from growth factors, amino acids and pseudo‑starved using treatment with mTOR inhibitors; erastin was used to induce ferroptosis. Cell viability and lipid peroxidation measurements using flow cytometry revealed that the starved pancreatic cancer cells reacted differently to ferroptosis induction: The Panc‑1, Su.86.86 and T3M4 cells gained sensitivity, while the Miapaca2 cells acquired resistance. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that ERK1/2 translocated to the nucleus of the starved pancreatic cancer cells. Moreover, ERK1/2 pharmacological inhibition with SCH772984 prevented erastin‑induced ferroptosis in the starved Panc‑1, Su.86.86 and T3M4 cells. Confocal microscopy also indicated JNK activation. However, the inhibition of this kinase revealed its unexpected role in oxidative stress management: Treatment with the JNK inhibitor, SP600125, increased the viability of pseudo‑starved cells following erastin treatment. In addition, the FBS‑starved Miapaca2 and Capan‑26 cells transitioned between epithelial and mesenchymal cell states. The results were further confirmed using wound healing assays, western blot analysis and microscopic analysis of epithelial‑to‑mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. Mesenchymal properties were associated with a higher sensitivity to erastin, whereas epithelial‑like cells were more resistant. Finally, it was demonstrated that compounds targeting EMT‑related signaling pathways increased cell sensitivity to erastin. On the whole, these results confirm that in starved pancreatic cancer cells, ERK1/2 and JNK signaling, as well as switching between epithelial and mesenchymal states mediates sensitivity to erastin and reveal novel therapeutic prospects of the combination of starvation with ferroptosis induction.

Novel Insights in the Regulatory Mechanisms of Ferroptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Ferroptosis is a newly defined programmed cell death, which by its mechanism differs from other programmed cell death processes such as apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy. It has a unique morphology and biological properties that antioxidants and iron-chelating agents can regulate. Ferroptosis has the characteristics of iron ion deposition and dependence on lipid peroxidation. It can affect the progression of many cancers, including liver cancer, by inducing an intracellular iron-dependent accumulation of reactive oxygen species, providing new possibilities for cancer treatment. At present, great progress has been made in exploring the molecular mechanism of ferroptosis. In this review, we summarize the characteristics, mechanisms, and regulatory factors of ferroptosis in detail, discuss the progress of ferroptosis research in liver cancer, and provide directions and new ideas for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Network Pharmacology Identifies Therapeutic Targets and the Mechanisms of Glutathione Action in Ferroptosis Occurring in Oral Cancer

Oral cancer (OC) is one of the most pernicious cancers with increasing incidence and mortality worldwide. Surgery is the primary approach for the treatment of early-stage OC, which reduces the quality of life of the patients. Therefore, there is an urgent need to discover novel treatments for OC. Targeting ferroptosis to induce cell death through the modulation of lipid oxidation has been used as a new approach to treat many cancers. Glutathione (GSH) is a coenzyme factor of GSH peroxidase 4, and it carries potential applicability in treating OC. By using network pharmacology and molecular docking followed by systematic bioinformatic analysis, we aimed to study GSH-targeting ferroptosis to treat OC. We identified 14 core molecular targets, namely, EGFR, PTGS2, HIF1A, VEGFA, TFRC, SLC2A1, CAV1, CDKN2A, SLC3A2, IFNG, NOX4, DDIT4, CA9, and DUSP1, involved in ferroptosis that were targeted by GSH for OC treatment. Functional characterization of these molecular targets showed their importance in the control of cell apoptosis, cell proliferation, and immune responses through various kinase activities such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase activity (e.g., ERK1 and ERK2 cascades) and modulation of TOR signaling (e.g., the HIF-1 signaling pathway). Molecular docking further revealed the direct binding of GSH with EGFR, PTGS2, and HIF1A proteins. These findings provide a novel insight into the targets of GSH in ferroptosis as well as possible molecular mechanisms involved, suggesting the possible use of GSH as a combined therapy for treating OC.

Berberine protects cardiac cells against ferroptosis

Objectives:

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the primary causes of death. Cardiomyocyte loss is a significant feature of cardiac injury. Ferroptosis is iron-dependent cell death, which occurs due to excess iron and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation causing lipid peroxidation, and subsequent cell death. Ferroptosis has been confirmed to mediate ischemia/reperfusion-induced cardiomyopathy and chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. Berberine (BBR) has been proven to protect the heart from cardiomyopathies, including cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and arrhythmias. It protects cardiomyocytes from apoptosis and autophagy. However, the relation between BBR and ferroptosis is still unknown. This study aimed to confirm if BBR reduces cardiac cell loss via inhibiting ferroptosis.

Materials and Methods:

We used erastin and Ras-selective lethal small molecule 3 (RSL3) to establish a ferroptosis model in an H9c2 cardiomyoblast cell line and rat neonatal cardiomyocytes to prove that BBR has a protective effect on cardiac cells via inhibiting ferroptosis.

Results:

In H9c2 cardiomyoblasts, the results showed that BBR reduced erastin and RSL3-induced cell viability loss. Moreover, BBR decreased ROS accumulation and lipid peroxidation in cells induced with ferroptosis. Furthermore, quantitative polymerase chain reaction results showed that Ptgs2 mRNA was reduced in BBR-treated cells. In rat neonatal cardiomyocytes, BBR reduced RSL3-induced loss of cell viability.

Conclusion:

These results indicated that BBR inhibited ferroptosis via reducing ROS generation and reducing lipid peroxidation in erastin and RSL3-treated cardiac cells.

Ferroptosis as a Novel Therapeutic Target for Diabetes and Its Complications

The global diabetes epidemic and its complications are increasing, thereby posing a major threat to public health. A comprehensive understanding of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications is necessary for the development of effective treatments. Ferroptosis is a newly identified form of programmed cell death caused by the production of reactive oxygen species and an imbalance in iron homeostasis. Increasing evidence suggests that ferroptosis plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of diabetes and diabetes-related complications. In this review, we summarize the potential impact and regulatory mechanisms of ferroptosis on diabetes and its complications, as well as inhibitors of ferroptosis in diabetes and diabetic complications. Therefore, understanding the regulatory mechanisms of ferroptosis and developing drugs or agents that target ferroptosis may provide new treatment strategies for patients with diabetes.