Cori cycle

Cori Cycle is a metabolic pathway involving the conversion of glucose into lactate and back, as it occurs in the liver and muscle tissue. The cycle is named after its discoverers, Carl Ferdinand Cori and Gerty Cori, who were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1947 for their discovery.

Overview

The Cori Cycle involves the metabolism of carbohydrates. In the muscles during intense activity, glucose is metabolized to lactate via glycolysis. The lactate is then released into the bloodstream and transported to the liver, where it is converted back into glucose via gluconeogenesis. This glucose is then returned to the muscles, completing the cycle.

Biochemical Process

The Cori Cycle begins in the muscles, where glucose is converted to pyruvate via the process of glycolysis. During intense physical activity, the oxygen supply to the muscles may be insufficient for the complete oxidation of pyruvate. In such cases, pyruvate is reduced to lactate. This reaction is catalyzed by the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).

The lactate produced is then released into the bloodstream and transported to the liver. In the liver, lactate is converted back into pyruvate by the same enzyme, LDH. The pyruvate is then used to synthesize glucose via the process of gluconeogenesis. The glucose produced is released into the bloodstream and transported back to the muscles, where it can be used again for energy production, completing the cycle.

Clinical Significance

The Cori Cycle plays a crucial role in maintaining blood glucose levels during fasting and intense physical activity. However, excessive reliance on the Cori Cycle can lead to lactic acidosis, a condition characterized by an abnormally high level of lactate in the blood. This can occur in conditions such as sepsis, shock, and heart failure, where the body's oxygen supply is compromised.

See Also

• Glycolysis
• Gluconeogenesis
• Lactate dehydrogenase
• Carl Ferdinand Cori
• Gerty Cori

References

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Cori_cycle

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  Diagram of the Cori Cycle

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  Gerty and Carl Cori