The Emerging Role of AMPK in Salivary Gland: From Disorder to Recovery

OBJECTIVE: To summarize current understanding of the roles of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in maintaining salivary gland (SG) homeostasis and its therapeutic potential in SG disorders characterized by acinar atrophy and fibrosis. METHODS: Recent studies and reviews on AMPK signaling, salivary gland pathology, and tissue regeneration were collected from PubMed, Medline, and Scopus databases. The evidence was synthesized to elucidate the regulatory functions of AMPK in SG injury and recovery. RESULTS: SG homeostasis relies on a balance between cell death and renewal, which is disrupted by severe damage. AMPK functions as a pivotal regulator in this process, promoting acinar cell survival, activating resident stem cells, inhibiting fibrosis, and modulating immune responses. AMPK activation attenuates inflammation and fibrogenesis, enhances tissue regeneration, and fosters a reparative immune microenvironment conducive to glandular recovery. CONCLUSION: AMPK serves as a central hub linking metabolic regulation, immune modulation, and tissue repair in SG disorders. Understanding its molecular mechanisms and optimizing AMPK activation strategies may provide novel therapeutic approaches to restore both function and structure in damaged salivary glands.