Language

English

Publication Date

11-1-2025

Journal

Pharmacological Research

DOI

10.1016/j.phrs.2025.107995

PMID

41093256

Abstract

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a pivotal role in maintaining vascular homeostasis and are critical contributors to the pathogenesis of various vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, calcification, aneurysms, and pulmonary hypertension. Emerging evidence highlights the significance of glucose metabolism in regulating VSMC phenotypic transitions during these pathologies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the major glucose metabolic pathways in VSMCs, glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), and the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP), and their roles in disease development. We summarize the molecular mechanisms linking glucose metabolic reprogramming to VSMC dysfunction, focusing on key regulatory enzymes and signaling pathways. Additionally, we discuss the translational potential of targeting glucose metabolism in VSMCs for therapeutic intervention and the challenges associated with this approach. By underscoring the metabolic shifts underlying VSMC pathophysiology, this review aims to advocate further research into VSMC glucose metabolism as a promising avenue for novel vascular disease treatments.

Keywords

Humans, Animals, Muscle, Smooth, Vascular, Glucose, Myocytes, Smooth Muscle, Vascular Diseases, Glycolysis, Pentose Phosphate Pathway, Aneurysm, Atherosclerosis, Calcification, Glucose Metabolism, Pulmonary Hypertension, Vascular Smooth Muscle cell

Published Open-Access

yes

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