The Biomedical investigators at
Cedars-Sinai have recently identified an enzyme in human cells that is doing
more than one job or “double duty” as they call it. The enzyme they researched
was hexokinase this is a metabolic enzyme that helps cells use glucose as a
substrate to produce glucose-6-phosphate. This reaction is used to produce energy
and all cells have this enzyme. Hexokinase is not a protein that is specific to
the immune system but has been found to work not only in metabolism but
immunity as well.
The immune system is made up of two
areas of defense, the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system. The
innate immune is the bodies first area of defense and is immediate. It kills,
eats, and degrades microbes it will also cause inflammation which helps to
limit the extent of damage from the bacteria. The inflammation that is causes
by the innate immune system also initiates the adaptive immune system. The
adaptive immune system produces antibodies to protect us from the same bacteria
invading our bodies at a later time.
They used cells from lab mice to do
their research finding that the hexokinase binds to the peptidoglycan that
surrounds the plasma membrane in the cell walls of most bacteria. This caused
an activation of the protein complexes that directed a strong inflammatory response
toward the cells. With further research they found that the same process
happens in human cells. With this discovery they think this could lead to
explanation as to why people with Obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and Coronary Artery
Diseases usually also have chronic inflammation.
This is an
interesting article because learning how the body can work in more than one way
is fascinating to me. We learn more and more everyday about the body systems
and how they interact with each other. I chose this paper over a few others
that I had read because I found this very informative and I learned something
new that I didn’t know anything about. I have a friend that was over weight for
many years, he always complained of his joints aching and being sore. I can see
how the soreness and swelling he experienced could have possibly been caused by
chronic inflammation due to the way hexokinase has been found to react by interrupting
the metabolic process and causing inflammation. No one is to say this is what
it was but there is a possibility. -DB
I find this article interesting. I work in the pharmacy as a tech and I can see some truth to this research. I see many patients with diabetes to have many prescriptions to treat that as well as secondary affects from being overweight, diabetic, and/or having heart diseases. With joint, muscle, and inflammation being the one of those secondary issues. With many health issues that can araise sometimes a change in diet or lifestyle can help people with obesity and diabetes to minimalize joint pain and inflammation, but that isn't always the case. So hopefully with further research they can get a better understanding on the hexokinase, and perhaps a way to make use of it. D.D.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how different aspects of the body serve multiple functions. We learn about the different parts of the body, but often forget that its an entire system that relies on each part to support the whole. It important to be informed about ourselves. This knowledge is one reason why I'm so skeptical of those "cure all" remedies. Our bodies are unique and need special attention when it comes to care.
ReplyDeleteR.T.