Aging-related dysregulation of glucose metabolism:crossroads of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases
- VernacularTitle:衰老相关的葡萄糖代谢失调:癌症和神经退行性疾病的十字路口
- Author:
Huan LIU
1
;
Shaopeng ZENG
;
Jun CHEN
;
Linqian HE
;
Ying YANG
;
Jing ZHANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: cancer; neurodegenerative diseases; Alzheimer's disease; Parkinson's disease; metabolic reprogramming; glucose metabolism; aerobic glycolysis; neuroprotection; aging
- From: Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(6):1527-1538
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
- Abstract: BACKGROUND:Epidemiological studies indicate that individuals with neurodegenerative diseases exhibit a comparatively lower risk of developing the majority of cancers.Although the precise mechanisms underlying this inverse correlation remain unclear,it is noteworthy that aberrant glucose metabolism,a pathological factor common to both conditions,may significantly contribute to this association.OBJECTIVE:To review the potential relationship between cancers and neurodegenerative diseases in glucose metabolism.METHODS:PubMed was searched for relevant literature using the search terms of"cancer,neurodegenerative diseases,Alzheimer's disease,Parkinson's disease,metabolic reprogramming,glucose metabolism,aerobic glycolysis,neuroprotection,aging,"and 136 articles were finally included for analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Cancer and neurodegenerative diseases exhibit a profound pathological correlation at the level of glucose metabolism imbalance associated with aging.Cancer cells promote uncontrolled proliferation,invasion,and metastasis through the persistent activation of aerobic glycolysis,whereas neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by a reduction in aerobic glycolysis.Restoring aerobic glycolysis may confer neuroprotective effects and delay disease progression.The key nodes of glucose metabolism demonstrate a bidirectional regulatory pattern:metabolic regulators,which are significantly upregulated or aberrantly activated in cancer,are inhibited or functionally inactivated in neurodegenerative diseases.Mitochondria play a crucial role in mediating the aging process through the regulation of reactive oxygen species homeostasis and mitochondrial autophagy.They establish regulatory networks that connect cancer and neurodegenerative diseases,and maintaining their functional homeostasis is of paramount importance for disease prevention and treatment.
