Final Exam Material Flashcards
(586 cards)
What is oxidative stress?
- Reactive oxygen species and other reactive species oxidize (= ‘steal electrons’) from DNA, protein, lipids, etc.
- Oxidation = chemical reaction that produces free radicals, leading to chain reactions that may cause damage to cells and tissues.
What is an antioxidant?
Protectors to oxidative stress
Antioxidant = molecule that inhibits the oxidation of other molecules
List some reactive species.
- Highly reactive, oxygen containing molecules often free radicals with unpaired electrons e.g., superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical, and hydrogen peroxide.
- Reactive, nitrogen species e.g., nitric oxide
- Other reactive species e.g., thiyl RS, trichloromethyl
How are reactive species generated? [2]
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Exposure to exogenous substances
- Chemicals in environment (pollutants)
- Smoking
- Drugs
- Radiation
-
Physiological processes
- Enzymatic reactions, oxidases
- Electron transport chain
- Immune defense (superoxide = antimicrobial)
Discuss the consequences of PUFA oxidative damage. [3]
(Membrane) lipid peroxidation → (1) loss of membrane fluidity, (2) receptor functions, and potentially (3) cellular lysis
Discuss the consequences of protein degradation by oxidative damage. [3]
(1) Cross-linking; (2) inactivation; (3) denaturation
Discuss the consequences of carbohydrate oxidative damage. [2]
Altered glycoprotein function → (1) hormonal and neurotransmitter receptors, (2) cell recognition
Discuss the consequences of nucleic acid oxidative damage. [3]
(1) DNA damage; (2) Mutations; (3) Carcinogenesis
Discuss oxidative stress and disease.
Oxidative stress may play a role in multiple chronic diseases.
- Atherosclerosis → development of plaque in vessels
- Cancer
- Cataracts → clouding of lens due to protein oxidation
- Autoimmune diseases
- Lung damage
Discuss oxidative stress and aging.
- Free-radical theory of aging = aging process due to cumulative oxidative damage to cells → minimizing ROS/free radicals may be ‘key’ to anti-aging
Name antioxidant systems in the body [2] and give three examples in each category.
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Enzymes
- Catalase (contains 4 heme groups)
- Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD)
- glutathione peroxidase (selenium)
-
Micronutrients
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Beta-carotene (pre-cursor to vitamin A)
Answer → D
Catalase contains 4 heme groups
List the main food sources and forms of zinc in the diet.
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Food sources → meat and seafood
- Zinc content of foods often associated with protein content of foods.
- Plant sources have less zinc and zinc is less well absorbed from plant sources.
-
Forms in diet → Zn2+
- Usually bound to protein or nucleic acid
- Supplements = zinc salts (e.g., zinc sulfate, zinc gluconate)
Explain the digestion of zinc.
- Most zinc bound to proteins & nucleic acids → first step in digestion is to release zinc form proteins & nucleic acids
- Zinc released from proteins and nucleic acids by HCl (denatures protein) and enzymes (proteases, nucleases) in the stomach and small intestine
Explain the absorption of zinc.
- Carrier-mediated through ZIP-4 = major transporter of zinc across brush border
- ZIP-4 degraded with high Zn status = mechanism for maintaining Zn homeostasis
- Minor pathways;
- DMT1
- With amino acids via amino acid carriers
- Paracellular diffusion at high intakes (>20 mg)
- No passive diffusion for uptake of zinc because free zinc has a charge → charged elements do not diffuse across phospholipid bilayer
Explain the transport of zinc.
- In plasma → bound to proteins (e.g., albumin) or amino acids.
- Tissue uptake via transporter → ZIPs as importers (also DMT1); zinc transporters (ZnTs) as exporters
- Within cells → zinc bound to proteins
Explain the storage of zinc.
- Bound to metallothionein → storage complex for zinc → metallothionein synthesis stimulated by zinc
- Total body zinc = 1.5-3 grams → mostly in (1) liver, (2) kidneys, (3) muscle, (4) skin and (5) bones
- Metallothionein is involved in short-term storage of zinc, and it has other functions
Explain the excretion of zinc. [2]
-
Fecal excretion (main) → increases with increasing zinc intake
- Unabsorbed zinc
- Digestive enzymes secreted from pancreas → some may be reabsorbed
-
Purposeful intestinal excretion of zinc
- Transport of zinc from blood across basolateral membrane into enterocyte, through brush border membrane into lumen.
Describe factors influencing zinc bioavailability.
- Less absorption with higher intakes
- Animal sources > plant sources
- Enhancers → a.a. organic acids, higher acidity
- Inhibitors → phytic acid, oxalic acid, polyphenols, non-heme iron (found in plant-based food sources, hence lower bioavailability of plant-based zinc)
Discuss how whole body zinc homeostasis is maintained.
- Zinc homeostasis is maintained by decreased absorption and increased excretion at high intakes and status
- Decrease absorption through decreased ZIP-4
- Increased excretion through transport of zinc from blood into the lumen of the gut
Describe the main functions of zinc. [6]
- Component of metalloenzymes (>300)
- Gene expression → zinc fingers → gene transcription
- Membrane stabilization
- Insulin response and glucose tolerance → signalling and release; impaired glucose tolerance in zinc deficiency
- Immune function → development and differentiation of immune cells
- Sexual maturation → fertility, reproduction and development
Discuss nutrient-nutrient interactions for zinc. [4]
- Iron → zinc and iron absorbed by DMT1 in intestine; high zinc intake can decrease iron absorption
- Calcium → zinc supplements may interfere with calcium absorption (particularly at low calcium intake)
- Copper → high zinc intake may ‘trap’ copper bound to metallothionein
- Vitamin A → zinc needed for conversion of retinol to retinal → zinc needed in synthesis of retinol-binding protein that transports vitamin A in the blood
Discuss the symptoms of zinc deficiency in children [3], adults [6], and symptoms shared by both children & adults [3].
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Children
- Growth retardation (stunting)
- Skeletal abnormalities
- Delayed sexual maturation
-
Adults
- Anorexia
- Lethargy
- Blunting of sense of taste
- Vision problems
- Impaired immune function
- Glucose intolerance
-
Both
- Diarrhea → exacerbates zinc deficiency through faecal losses in a positive feedback loop → must interrupt this cycle to address underlying cause
- Poor wound healing
- Skin rash/lesions/dermitisis
Discuss the risk factors for developing a zinc deficiency. [4]
- (1) Inadequate intake → low/no intake of animal source food e.g., vegetarian diet, low socioeconomic status
- (2) Older adults → reduced gastric acidity, often poorer nutrition
- (3) Alcohol consumption → reduces intestinal zinc absorption and increases urinary zinc excretion
- (4) Diseases/conditions that cause malabsorption e.g., IBD, chronic diarrhea, sickle cell disease)