Melatonin Attenuates Calcium Deposition from Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells by Activating Mitochondrial Fusion and Mitophagy via an AMPK/OPA1 Signaling Pathway

Figure 8

Schematic representation showing that melatonin regulates VSMC calcification through an AMPK/OPA1 signaling pathway. Melatonin activated AMPK expression, which in turn enhanced OPA1 and, subsequently, promoted mitochondrial fusion/mitophagy. Activation of mitochondrial fusion/mitophagy reduced apoptosis, oxidative stress, inflammation, and calcium deposition. These effects subsequently inhibited VSMC calcification.