Skeletal muscle mitochondrial health in type 1 diabetes: the role of exercise capacity and lifestyle factors – published online 21/05/2025

Richie P. Goulding, Braeden T. Charlton, Ellen A. Breedveld, Jelle Y. Huijts, Matthijs van der Laan, Anne R. Strating, Wendy Noort, Aryna Kolodyazhna, Anita E. Grootemaat, Frank W. Bloemers, Nicole N. van der Wel, Rob C. I. Wüst

Skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction has been proposed as an inherent feature of type 1 diabetes in recent years. However, whole-body aerobic fitness, body composition and other lifestyle factors may also contribute to this observation. In this study, Goulding et al (https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-025-06451-1) compared people with type 1 diabetes to matched healthy control individuals, ensuring similar age, sex, BMI and whole-body aerobic fitness. They found no differences in mitochondrial content, morphology or respiration. However, within the type 1 diabetes group, suboptimal glycaemic control and higher BMI were associated with impaired mitochondrial respiration and structure. These findings suggest that mitochondrial impairments may reflect differences in lifestyle rather than direct effects of diabetes itself. The authors conclude that this work underscores the importance of physical fitness, optimal glucose management and a healthy body composition in preserving mitochondrial health in people with type 1 diabetes.

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