Background: Diabetes impairs wound healing, notably in diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). Stress, marked by the accumulation of lipoylated mitochondrial enzymes and the depletion of Fe–S cluster proteins, triggers cuproptosis—a distinct form of cell death. The involvement of copper in the pathophysiology of DFU has been recognized, and currently, a copper-based therapeutic strategy is emerging as a viable option for enhancing ulcer healing. This study investigates genes linked to copper metabolism in DFU, aiming to uncover potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Methods: Two diabetic wound Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets were analyzed to study immune cell dysregulation in diabetic wounds. Differentially expressed genes related to copper metabolism were identified and analyzed using machine learning methods. Gene ontology, pathway enrichment, and immune infiltration analyses were performed using DFU samples. The expression of identified genes was validated using qRT-PCR and single-cell RNA sequencing. Results: Ten genes associated with copper metabolism were identified. Among these, SLC31A1 and ADNP were found to be significantly differentially expressed in DFU. Notably, SLC31A1 exhibited higher expression in macrophages, whereas ADNP was found to be highly expressed in fibroblasts and chondrocytes. Conclusion: The study indicates a close link between copper metabolism, the infiltration of immune cells, and DFU. It proposes that copper metabolism could influence the progression of DFU through the activation of immune responses. These observations offer fresh perspectives on the underlying mechanisms of DFU and identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

Background Cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is highly related to ischemic heart disease which is the main cause of death worldwide. However, no standard therapy for I/R is available. Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) has been demonstrated to play an important role in myocardial I/R injury, however its therapeutic effects and potential mechanism remain still unclear. This study was aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of STS on myocardial I/R injury. Methods STS were injected intraperitoneally at 30 mg/kg per mouse beginning 10 days before I/R surgery. Histological analyses and markers, echocardiographic parameters, TTC staining were examined to assess myocardial injury. Results Compared with I/R mice, I/R in STS-administered mice leaded to diminished myocardial infarct size, apoptosis, and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression. In cultured cardiomyocytes, STS inhibits apoptosis and production of TLR4, IL-6. Dominant negative AKT reversed the inhibitory effect of STS on apoptosis, but had no effect on the inhibitory effect of STS on IL-6 production. STS induces SIRT1/TLR4-dependent anti-inflammation in cardiomyocytes, and inhibition of SIRT1 by siSIRT1 reverses the inhibitory effect of STS on inflammation and infarct size. Conclusion Our study suggest that STS can relieve heart I/R injury through AKT and SIRT1/TLR4-dependent mechanisms in vivo and vitro.