zsírsavoxidációt

Zsírsavoxidáció, also known as fatty acid oxidation or beta-oxidation, is a catabolic process by which fatty acid molecules are broken down in the mitochondrial matrix to generate acetyl-CoA. This acetyl-CoA can then enter the citric acid cycle to produce ATP, the primary energy currency of the cell. This metabolic pathway is crucial for energy production, especially during periods of fasting or prolonged exercise when glucose levels are low.

The process involves a series of enzymatic reactions that progressively shorten the fatty acid chain by two carbons at a time. Each cycle of beta-oxidation removes a two-carbon unit from the carboxyl end of the fatty acid. This process yields one molecule of acetyl-CoA, one molecule of NADH, and one molecule of FADH2. NADH and FADH2 are electron carriers that donate their electrons to the electron transport chain, ultimately leading to ATP synthesis through oxidative phosphorylation.

Beta-oxidation is tightly regulated and occurs in different tissues, including the liver, heart, and skeletal muscle. The rate of fatty acid oxidation is influenced by hormonal signals and the energy status of the cell. For instance, hormones like glucagon and adrenaline promote fatty acid mobilization and oxidation, while insulin inhibits it. Defects in the enzymes involved in beta-oxidation can lead to various inherited metabolic disorders, often resulting in energy deficiency and accumulation of toxic intermediate metabolites.