AMPK: an enzyme that may be effective in cancer and metabolic diseases

Diseases are processes that feed on the interaction and triggering of impairments in cellular metabolism. The fact that AMPK has arresting and initiating effects on anabolic-catabolic processes shows that it plays a key role in the functioning of metabolism and especially energy metabolism. The effects of AMPK on fat, carbohydrate, and protein metabolism, as wel as on growth, and autophagy have made AMPK an important target in chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, inflammation, cancer treatment, and even anti-aging. Considering the other effects of AMPK, the possibility that it can exhibit an anticancer effect through a mechanism other than just suppressing the cell growth and division cycle and activating autophagic pathways is within the realm of possibility. It has been stated that suppression of AMPK will trigger glycolysis in some cancer cells and increase the Warburg effect, which is effective in the energy production of cells. Besides, it has been reported recently that inflammation is a major factor in the development of tumors and that chronic inflammation raises the risk of cancer. This enzyme, that is known to be effective in all metabolic pathways, has attracted attention in the treatment of metabolic diseases. Therefore, this study aims to provide some information about the AMPK enzyme, the role of AMPK in cancer, metabolic disorders, and developed AMPK activators.