- Allergy treatment
- Antimicrobials for systemic use
- Antiparasitic drugs
- Cardiovascular system
- Dermatology
- Drugs affecting metabolism
- Drugs used in sensory organ disorders
- Gastrointestinal tract
- Haemopoietic system and blood
- Locomotor system
- Nervous system
- Respiratory system
- Systemic hormones
- Urogenital system and Sexual hormones
Drugs affecting metabolism
- Metabolism overview
- Metabolism and homeostasis
Metabolism (from Greek. Metabolism, "transformation, the change"), is a full process of transformation of chemicals in the organism ensuring its growth, development, activities and life in general. A living organism constantly consumes energy not only during physical or mental work, but also during profound rest (sleep). Metabolism represents a complex of biochemical and energetic processes providing the utilization of nutrient materials for the needs of the organism and satisfying the requirements in plastic and energy substances.
Metabolism can conventionally be divided into 3 main phases:
The first phase includes enzymatic cleavage of proteins, fats and carbohydrates to water-soluble amino acids, mono-and disaccharides, glycerol, fatty acids and other compounds, occurring in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract and absorbing into the blood and lymphatic system.
The second phase includes transport of nutrient materials with blood to tissues and cells, resulting in their enzymatic cleavage to the final products. Some of these products used to construct the components of membranes, cytoplasm, for synthesis of biologically active substances and reproduction of cells and tissues.
Splitting of substances is accompanied by the release of energy that is used for synthesis and maintenance of each organ and organism as a whole.
The third phase includes the elimination of waste products with the urine, feces, sweat, through the lungs in the form of CO2, etc.
Metabolism includes two opposing and simultaneous processes: anabolism and catabolism. Anabolism unites a complex of biochemical reactions responsible for synthesis of biologically active substances necessary for growth, development and functioning of the human organism. Catabolism includes biochemical reactions associated with breaking down of substances, redox reactions and elimination of waste products from the organism.
Most of the structures that makes up living organisms are made from 3 main group of molecules such as: lipids (fats), amino acids and carbohydrates. All these 3 groups are important for vital processes. Metabolism as a complex structure is focusing on synthesis of these molecular groups during the formation of cells and tissues or breaking them for obtaining energy. Lipids, carbohydrates and amino acids can be joined into polymers such as proteins and DNA.
Amino acids are structural components of proteins. They are connected in linear chain by peptide bonds. Proteins possess structural and mechanical functions (cytoskeletom formation), other proteins act as enzymes catalyzing biochemical reactions. Proteins are responsible for immune responses, active transport through the cells and cells adhesion.
Lipids include a large group of chemicals. Lipids are structural components of membranes and are one of the main source of energy. Lipids are hydrophobic compounds not dissolving in wanter, only in organic solvents. Lipids include such biological compounds such as triacylglyceride (consisting of fatty acids and glycerol) and their different variations like sphingolipids, phospholipids. Cholesterol is also one of the major type of lipids.
Carbohydrates represent a straight-chain ketones or aldehydes containing many hydroxyl groups. Carbohydrates are the most widespread biological molecules. They fulfill a numerous functions such as:
Carbohydrates possess a structural function. They are involved in the construction of various cellular structures (eg, cell walls of plants).
2. Carbohydrates fulfill protective role in plants
3. Carbohydrates fulfill plastic function. They are stored as food reserve and are a part of the complex molecules (pentoses (ribose and deoxyribose) involved in the construction of ATP, DNA and RNA.
4. Carbohydrates are the main source of energetic material. The oxidation of 1 gram of carbohydrates releases 4.1 kcal of energy and 0.4 g of water.
5. Carbohydrates are involved in maintenance of the osmotic pressure and osmoregulation. Blood contains 100-110 mg /% glucose and osmotic blood pressure depends on glucose concentration.
6.Carbohydrates fulfill a receptor function. Many oligosaccharides are part of cellular receptors or moleculer-ligand.
The basic carbohydrate units are called monosaccharides. Monosaccharides include galactose, fructose, and most importantly glucose. Monosaccharides can be joined together to form polysaccharides.
Along with organic chemicals, inorganic elements play critical role in metabolism. Oxygen, sulfur, phosphorus, hydrogen, chlorine, sodium, calcium, carbon, potassium, nitrogen occupy nearly 99% of mammals mass. Many inorganic elements act as cofactors catalyzing many biochemical reactions.
