BIO Lecture Notes - Gerty Cori, Carl Ferdinand Cori, Lactic Acid
2 Nov 2022
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In an actively contracting muscle, only about 8% of the pyruvate is utilized by the citric acid cycle, and the remaining molecules are therefore reduced to lactate. The lactic acid thus, generated should not be allowed to accumulate in the muscle tissues. The muscle cramps, often associated with strenuous muscular exercise, are thought to be due to lactate accumulation. During exercise, blood lactate level is increased appreciably. Lactate then reaches liver, where it is oxidised to pyruvate. It is then taken up through gluconeogenesis pathway, and becomes glucose which can enter into blood and then taken to muscle. iv. This cycle is called cori"s cycle, by which the lactate is efficiently reutilized by the body. Carl cori and gerty cori were awarded nobel prize in 1947. Insulin favors glycolysis by activating key glycolytic enzymes (glucokinase, phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase). Glucocorticoids inhibit glycolysis and favors gluconeogenesis: phosphofructokinase (pfk) It is the most important rate-limiting enzyme for glycolysis pathway.
