Systemic cellular metabolism

Systemic cellular metabolism refers to the integrated network of chemical reactions that occur within an organism to maintain life, encompassing both catabolism and anabolism. It is responsible for converting food into energy to run cellular processes, the conversion of food/fuel to building blocks for proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and some carbohydrates, and the elimination of metabolic wastes (StatPearls, 2023). This process is not a single molecular target but a complex physiological state regulated by a multitude of enzymes, transporters, and signaling molecules. Dysregulation of systemic metabolism is central to the pathogenesis of various conditions, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease (Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 2022). Furthermore, metabolic reprogramming is a recognized hallmark of cancer, where cells alter their metabolic flux to support rapid proliferation and survival (Cell, 2011). While many drugs target specific components of this system—such as metformin targeting mitochondrial complex I or insulin targeting the insulin receptor—the system as a whole is too broad to be defined as a discrete therapeutic target.

Other names

Whole-body metabolismIntermediary metabolismMetabolic homeostasisMetabolic network

Various mechanisms including activation of AMPK, modulation of insulin signaling, and inhibition of specific metabolic enzymes.