Palbociclib improves cardiac dysfunction in diabetic cardiomyopathy by regulating Rb phosphorylation

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a condition associated with significant structural changes including cardiac tissue necrosis, localized fibrosis, and hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes. This study sought to assess whether and how CDK4/6 inhibitor, Palbociclib, can attenuate DCM using a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DCM model system. In this study, we found CDK4 and CDK6 expression are significantly increased the cardiac tissue of these mice. Palbociclib treatment after initial STZ administration attenuated oxidative stress and inflammation, thereby reducing cardiomyocyte death and preserving cardiac function in these animals. In addition, Rb phosphorylation induction was found in STZ-treated mice, which was inhibited by Palbociclib treatment. In summary, Palbociclib protects mice from damage associated with DCM pathway activation, making Palbociclib is a relevant therapeutic target in the context of DCM.