Pyrimidine nucleoside uridine plays a critical role in maintaining cellular function and energy metabolism. In addition to its role in nucleoside synthesis, uridine and its derivatives contribute to reduction of cytotoxicity and suppression of drug-induced hepatic steatosis. Uridine is mostly present in blood and cerebrospinal fluid, where it contributes to the maintenance of basic cellular functions affected by UPase enzyme activity, feeding habits, and ATP depletion. Uridine metabolism depends on three stages: de novo synthesis, salvage synthesis pathway and catabolism, and homeostasis, which is tightly relating to glucose homeostasis and lipid and amino acid metabolism. This review is devoted to uridine metabolism and its role in glucose, lipid, and amino acid homeostasis. Hunan Agricultural University YB2018007 SYL201802003 Hunan Provincial Science and Technology Department 2018WK4025 2018CT5002 2016TP2005 2016NK2101 Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China 2016-X47 2015-Z64 Local Science and Technology Development Project YDZX20184300002303 National Natural Science Foundation of China 31672457
