Endogenous metabolic and redox pathways

Endogenous metabolic and redox pathways represent the integrated network of biochemical reactions responsible for energy production, macromolecule synthesis, and the maintenance of cellular reduction-oxidation (redox) balance. These pathways, including glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and the pentose phosphate pathway, are essential for cellular survival and function (StatPearls, 2023). Redox pathways specifically manage the production and neutralization of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through systems like glutathione and thioredoxin to prevent oxidative damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids (NIH, 2022). Dysregulation of these pathways is central to the pathogenesis of various conditions, such as cancer, where metabolic reprogramming (the Warburg effect) facilitates rapid proliferation, and neurodegenerative diseases, where chronic oxidative stress contributes to neuronal loss (Nature Reviews Cancer, 2011). Because this term describes a broad set of physiological systems rather than a discrete molecular entity like a single enzyme or receptor, it is classified as a therapeutic category or biological process rather than a specific drug target (PubMed, 2020).

Other names

Metabolic pathwaysRedox homeostasisCellular metabolismOxidative stress pathwaysIntermediary metabolism

Modulation of specific enzymatic activities within metabolic cycles or the enhancement/inhibition of cellular antioxidant defense systems to alter cellular energy state or redox potential.