Happy Thursdays with Alicia & Tamara

The Role of Hyperglycemia in Vascular Calcification: Implications for Diabetes

Vascular calcification is a key factor in cardiovascular disease, particularly in diabetes. Our latest study explores the direct impact of high glucose levels on extracellular pyrophosphate metabolism, a natural inhibitor of vascular calcification. Using diabetic rat and aortic smooth muscle cell models, we found that elevated glucose significantly reduces extracellular pyrophosphate levels, increasing vascular calcification susceptibility. These findings suggest that pyrophosphate deficiency plays a critical role in diabetic vascular calcification, identifying a potential therapeutic target.

CV highlights:

2015-2019: Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology (University of Extremadura).  
2020-2021: Master's Degree in Initiation to Research in Biology (University of Extremadura).
2022-present: PhD student at the Metabolic Homeostasis and Vascular Calcification. FPI fellowship.

 

Alicia Flores Rico. PhD student, Metabolic Homeostasis and Vascular Calcification Group (PSSL7), CiMUS

Lack of PCK1 in Hepatic Stellate cells causes liver fibrosis in MASLD

The enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK1) is a key integrator of hepatic energy metabolism. While its function in hepatocytes has been extensively studied, its role in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the main fibrogenic cells in the liver, remains unknown. Our findings indicate that the disruption of cataplerosis in HSCs due to loss of PCK1 enhances glycolysis and activates HSCs, thereby promoting the development of liver fibrosis.

CV highlights:

2016-2020:  Bachelor’s degree in Medical Sciences (Universitat de Barcelona)
2020-2021: Master's degree in Biomedical Research (Universidade Santiago de Compostela)
2021-present: PhD student in Endocrinology at the Molecular Metabolism Group in CiMUS.
 

Tamara Parracho Martínez. PhD student at Molecular Metabolism Group (P0L4), CiMUS.

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