Abstract
Endothelial cells form an active lining of vascular system. They have a very active metabolism and so they have high demand for energy.
The main source of energy is glucose that is utilized by anaerobic glycolysis. Other sources are used to produce metabolic intermediates needed for the maintenance of cell structure and for signalization in resting state, and for vascular proliferation in active state.
Resting endothelial cells are not very sensitive to hypoxia. A lack of glucose and coincident hypoxia lead after some time (if their supply is not restored in time) to energetic collapse and cellular necrosis.