Cardiolipin is a kind of phospholipid with a unique structure on the inner membrane of mitochondria. Cardiolipin plays an important role in the regulation of mitochondrial homeostasis and function, which is attributed to its special structure. In terms of mitochondrial homeostasis, cardiolipin participates in the autophagy, fission, and fusion of mitochondria, and regulates the content and structure of mitochondria. In terms of function, cardiolipin plays a unique role in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, cellular metabolite transport, and cell apoptosis. Changes in cardiolipin homeostasis, manifested by alteration in content, remodeling of acyl chains, and peroxidation, can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and participate in pathophysiological processes in a variety of diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. This article reviews studies of cardiolipin in the regulation of mitochondrial homeostasis and function, and introduces the role of cardiolipin in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases, to promote the study of cardiolipin function and the treatment of related diseases.

Cardiolipin; Mitochondrial homeostasis; Mitochondrial function; Apoptosis; Endocrine disorders