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Targeting Glycolysis for Spinal Cord Injury: Regulatory Mechanisms and Therapeutic Prospects
Shenghao Qian1, Caizhen Shi1, Bingbing Wang1
1Yan'an Medical College of Yan'an University, No.580 Shengdi Road, Baota District, Yan'an, Shaanxi 716000, China.
Abstract:
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe neurological disorder that not only causes significant physical and psychological harm to patients but also imposes a substantial economic burden on families and society. Following SCI, a cascade of secondary events occurs, including inflammatory responses, scar formation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Numerous studies have demonstrated that glycolysis plays a crucial role in the pathophysiological changes post-SCI and may serve as a promising therapeutic target for future SCI treatments. This account systematically summarizes the alterations in glycolysis after SCI, focusing on three key aspects: the activation pathways of glycolysis, changes in metabolic rates and metabolites, and the expression levels of related enzymes and molecules. Furthermore, it highlights the mechanisms by which glycolysis-targeted interventions promote SCI repair, including modulation of inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and axonal regeneration. Additionally, the applications and limitations of glycolysis-targeting drugs and other emerging therapeutic approaches are critically analyzed. Finally, this review outlines preliminary achievements and prospects in the clinical translation of glycolysis-targeted therapies for SCI. This review summarizes the mechanisms underlying the regulation of glycolysis-targeting SCI, along with current major therapeutic strategies and associated challenges, thereby offering potential insights into the treatment of SCI.
Insights
Glycolysis, a key metabolic process, is significantly altered after spinal cord injury (SCI). Targeting glycolysis pathways offers a promising therapeutic strategy for SCI repair by modulating inflammation and promoting axonal regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Metabolic pathways
- Spinal cord injury research
Background:
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in severe neurological deficits and significant socioeconomic burdens.
- Secondary injury mechanisms include inflammation, glial scar formation, and mitochondrial dysfunction.
- Glycolysis is increasingly recognized for its critical role in SCI pathophysiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review alterations in glycolysis following SCI.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which glycolysis-targeted interventions promote SCI repair.
- To analyze the clinical translation prospects of glycolysis-targeting therapies for SCI.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on glycolysis in SCI.
- Analysis of glycolysis activation pathways, metabolic changes, and enzyme expression post-SCI.
- Examination of therapeutic strategies targeting glycolysis and their underlying mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Glycolysis is significantly altered post-SCI, affecting metabolic rates and key enzymes.
- Targeting glycolysis modulates inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and enhances axonal regeneration.
- Various glycolysis-targeting drugs and emerging therapies show potential for SCI treatment.
Conclusions:
- Glycolysis plays a pivotal role in SCI pathogenesis and represents a viable therapeutic target.
- Interventions aimed at modulating glycolysis demonstrate efficacy in preclinical SCI models.
- Further research and clinical translation are needed to fully realize the potential of glycolysis-targeting therapies for SCI.
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