ABSTRACT
Cognitive dysfunction is one of the common central nervous systems (CNS) complications of diabetes mellitus, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients and results in a huge economic burden. The glymphatic system dysfunction mediated by aquaporin-4 (AQP4) loss or redistribution in perivascular astrocyte endfeet plays a crucial role in diabetes-induced cognitive impairment (DCI). However, the mechanism of AQP4 loss or redistribution in the diabetic states remains unclear. Accumulating evidence suggests that peripheral insulin resistance target tissues and CNS communication affect brain homeostasis and that exosomal miRNAs are key mediators. Glucose and lipid metabolism disorder is an important pathological feature of diabetes mellitus, and skeletal muscle, liver and adipose tissue are the key target insulin resistance organs. In this review, the changes in exosomal miRNAs induced by peripheral metabolism disorders in diabetes mellitus were systematically reviewed. We focused on exosomal miRNAs that could induce low AQP4 expression and redistribution in perivascular astrocyte endfeet, which could provide an interorgan communication pathway to illustrate the pathogenesis of DCI. Furthermore, the mechanisms of exosome secretion from peripheral insulin resistance target tissue and absorption to the CNS were summarized, which will be beneficial for proposing novel and feasible strategies to optimize DCI prevention and/or treatment in diabetic patients.