Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (23): 5972-5981.doi: 10.12307/2026.347

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Glycocalyx: the new link between exercise and disease

Ma Zhennan, Wang Yinfeng, Yao Lijuan, Chen Leqin   

  1. Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, Shanxi Province, China
  • Received:2025-05-19 Accepted:2025-08-05 Online:2026-08-18 Published:2025-12-31
  • Contact: Chen Leqin, PhD, Professor, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, Shanxi Province, China
  • About author:Ma Zhennan, MS, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, Shanxi Province, China

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The glycocalyx serves as a selective permeability barrier that enables the controlled exchange of substances and maintains fluid balance between within and outside the blood vessels. It is also involved in various pathological processes, including inflammation, thrombus formation, and microcirculation disorders, and is significantly associated with the development and progression of diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and cancer. 
OBJECTIVE: To correlate glycocalyx with exercise and disease. 
METHODS: A literature search was conducted across international databases (MedReading, PubMed, and Web of Science) and Chinese databases (CNKI, WanFang, and VIP) to identify academic articles. The search terms used were “glycocalyx, physical exercise, disease” in Chinese and “glycocalyx, physical exercise, exercises, physical activity, acute exercise, isometric exercises, aerobic exercise, resistance training, exercise training, disease, diseases” in English. A total of 81 publications were included in the final analysis.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: As a biological barrier of the vascular endothelium, the glycocalyx plays a key role in regulating vascular permeability, mediating inflammatory responses, sensing blood shear stress, and facilitating anticoagulation. The integrity of the glycocalyx is essential for maintaining stable normal blood circulation and ensuring the physiological functions of various organs in the body. Shedding of the glycocalyx can induce structural changes in the endothelial barrier, leading to an abnormal increase in endothelial permeability and accelerating the pathological processes associated with atherosclerosis. Research has confirmed that the extensive thickening and shedding of the glycocalyx on the surface of cancer cells promote tumor proliferation, metastasis, and disease progression. In traumatic diseases, the severity can be assessed by measuring the levels of debris resulting from glycocalyx injury. The glycocalyx is influenced by factors such as the duration of exercise, changes in exercise mode, and exercise intensity. Acute exercise can induce microvascular changes and increase glycocalyx thickness. The sensitivity of glycocalyx components to shedding during aerobic exercise varies by sex, age, and body mass index. Resistance exercise has a positive effect on the acute response of the endothelial glycocalyx, while long-term exercise training can provide protective benefits. As a potential intervention target for atherosclerosis, sepsis, and cancer, the glycocalyx offers theoretical support for the development of non-drug treatment strategies. However, the clinical application of glycocalyx injury markers has not yet been standardized, and the mechanisms linking glycocalyx, exercise, and disease still require further exploration. 

Key words: glycocalyx, exercise, disease, health, action mechanisms, therapeutic targets, review

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