Cancer Metabolism and Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury: Two Sides of the Same Coin

Abstract

Cancer cells are characterized by the reprogramming of certain cell metabolisms via activation of definite pathways and regulation of gene signaling. Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is characterized by tissue damage and death following a lack of perfusion and oxygenation. It is most commonly seen in the setting of organ transplantation. Interestingly, the microenvironments seen in cancer and ischemic tissues are quite similar, especially due to the hypoxic state that occurs in both. As a consequence, there is genetic signaling involved in response to IRI that has common pathways with cancer. Some of these changes are seen across the board with many cancer cells and are known as Hallmarks of Cancer, among which are aerobic glycolysis and the induction of angiogenesis. This literature review aims to compare the metabolic pathways that are altered in cancer tissues and in normal tissues subjected to IRI in order to find common adaptive processes and to identify key pathways that could represent a therapeutic target in both pathologies. By increasing our understanding of this relationship, clinical correlations can be made and applied practically to improve outcomes of transplanted organs, given the known association with acute rejection, delayed graft function, and poor graft survival. The following metabolic pathways are discussed in our review, both in the setting of cancer and IRI: apoptosis, glycolysis, and angiogenesis. The role of the immune system in both pathologies as well as mitochondrial function and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are reviewed.

The histopathological features and their prognostic impact in the postoperative follow-up of colorectal cancer patients

“…The most important mechanism is the inflammation-induced procoagulant pathway, which invariably leads to microthromboses and local ischemia [ 23 , 24 ]. Together with the acidic microenvironment and local ischemia, the peritumoral inflammation can have a detrimental effect on initial postoperative anabolic response phase, including anastomotic healing [ 25 , 26 , 27 ]. On the other hand, prolonged inflammation may impede local anastomotic healing by excessive mobilization of macrophages and lymphocytes, with subsequent secretion and regulation of proteases and matrix metalloproteinases, associated with a dysregulation in growth factor synthesis and impeded lymphoblastic migration and growth [ 28 , 29 , 30 ].…”

“…The most important mechanism is the inflammation-induced procoagulant pathway, which invariably leads to microthromboses and local ischemia [23,24]. Together with the acidic microenvironment and local ischemia, the peritumoral inflammation can have a detrimental effect on initial postoperative anabolic response phase, including anastomotic healing [25][26][27].…”

Clinical and morphopathological assay in vulvovaginal candidiasis

“…Hydrolytic enzymes, such as secreted aspartyl proteinases (SAPs), phospholipases (PLs) and Candida species play a role in the pathogenesis of VVC [ 2 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Numerous studies have reported that approximately 75% of women have experienced or been diagnosed with VVC [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. The maximum incidence of this infection is at reproductive age, an aspect also observed in our study, the average age of the patients analyzed by us being between 27.88 years and 35.50 years.…”

“…Along with bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis is associated with symptoms such as pruritus, local irritation, dysuria, dyspareunia, and altered vaginal secretion, gritty/brownish white or local pain. This symptomatology can be supported and aggravated by the risk factors of this infection [ 2 , 4 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ]. Poor hygienic conditions and lack of information and access to medical services can negatively influence the situation of patients diagnosed with this pathology.…”

“…B-lymphocytes, macrophages, plasma cells, mast cells had a much higher concentration in symptomatic patients compared to asymptomatic patients. This fact can be a consequence of the infection, but it can also be a cause of the symptoms in these patients [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 25 ]. The increase in the concentration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) at the level of the vaginal mucosa is a distinctive sign of an immunopathological inflammatory response that occurs in the case of acute infection with C. albicans.…”