Acetyl-CoA is a coenzyme produced by the oxidation of amino acids, pyruvate, and fatty acids. It is used in the citric acid cycle for energy production and can lead to health problems if levels are too high. The cycle creates ATP and is fueled by pyruvate and fatty acid metabolism. High levels of acetyl-CoA can lead to cholesterol production and high blood cholesterol levels.
Acetyl-CoA, or activated acetate, is an important molecule in the metabolic processes of the human body. Composed of two carbon atoms, this coenzyme is the metabolic product of the oxidation of several amino acids, pyruvate and fatty acids. It is then broken down and used by the body for energy production. This process is called the citric acid cycle or Krebs cycle. As vital as it is in the metabolic process, it is possible to have too much of it, causing unwanted health problems, such as high cholesterol.
The citric acid cycle is a metabolic process by which eight enzymes are utilized for energy production in aerobic oxidation. The cycle begins in the mitochondria, where acetyl-CoA is oxidized. Through further metabolism, the body is then able to create adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the type of energy used within the body’s cells for a wide variety of biological processes. Activated acetate enters the citric acid cycle at a specific point, at which time it is used in combination with two carbon atoms, thus creating citrate.
The acetyl-CoA used in the Krebs cycle comes from two main sources. The first source of the molecule is pyruvate, an organic acid that can be converted into carbohydrates, fatty acids or energy. In the case of the citric acid cycle, it supplies energy to the cells. Pyruvate is typically derived from glycolysis, which is the process by which the body breaks down sugars and other carbohydrates. Fatty acid metabolism is another common source of activated acetate.
Although necessary for proper metabolism, it is possible to have too high levels of this molecule in the body. In addition to the more commonly known negative consequences of sugar consumption, high levels of sucrose in the diet can also have a negative effect on the metabolic process, including this coenzyme. Excessive levels can cause negative side effects. When the body has more available than needed for the Krebs cycle, it sends the excess to be processed by the pancreas through the use of insulin. This excess is then used in the synthesis of body fat or used in the creation of HMG-CoA, which triggers cholesterol production, causing high blood cholesterol levels.
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