Iron-related oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction and their role in cardiovascular disease

As an essential trace element, iron plays an important role in many physiological processes. Abnormal metabolism and accumulation of iron are closely related to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Iron plays a key role in metal-catalyzed oxidation reactions, resulting in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and causing oxidative stress. Mitochondria, as the central site for the utilization of oxygen and iron, are vulnerable to the damage of iron-induced oxidative stress and dysfunction, which further leads to cardiovascular damage, but the mechanism is still unclear. This review summarizes the pathological role of iron-related oxidative stress in cardiovascular diseases, particularly the potential role and mechanisms of mitochondrial iron homeostasis and dysfunction in these diseases.