Cancer Cell Metabolism Flashcards
Glucose levels
Monitor ability of cells to take up glucose, too high indicate cells cannot take up glucose
HbA1C levels
Detect the ratio of glycalated hemoglobin to other hemoglobin, high levels indicate diabetes or pre-diabetes
Calcium levels
Show transporter activity, abnormal results indicate imbalance in transporter activity
Albumin
Proteins made by the liver that indicate liver activity level, low levels indicate liver problem or malnutrition
Total protein
The rest of the protein in the blood, low levels can indicate liver problems or malnutrition
Electrolytes
Show ion balance, anion gap means low levels of negative ions are leading to acidosis
BUN
Transamination of ammonia, high levels indicate a kidney or liver problem (liver only when creatinine is normal)
Creatinine
Used for short term muscle energy, high levels dual indicator of kidney problem
Alk phos
Intracellular enzyme mostly in liver, bone and muscle, high levels indicate the possibility of liver problems or bone metasis
AST/ALT
Byproducts of amino acid breakdown (should be high in liver but low in blood), high levels in blood indicate liver damage and failure
Bilirubin
Breakdown product of hemoglobin, high levels mean low liver processing or RBC lysis
Lipid panel
Indicate problems with lipid digestion or not sticking to diet, high levels of LDL, total, and triglycerides with low HDL indicate problems processing cholesterol
Aerobic vs Anaerobic respiration
Aerobic - normal cell takes in glucose to become pyruvate and go into TCA/ETC for ATP production
Anaerobic - cancer cell takes glucose to become pyruvate but then goes to lactate to maintain cell proliferation
Hypoxia and cancer cells
Cancer cells maintain a level of hypoxia to stimulate cell growth
HIF alpha
Responds to low O2 to activate the processes of cell survival (anti-apoptosis), angiogenesis, invasion, and glycolysis
