Explore the biochemistry of nutrition. Detailed profiles on nutrient bioavailability, metabolic pathways, and medical nutrition therapy (MNT) guidelines.
Biochemical Profile Classification: Fat-soluble vitamin-like substance; Quinone Chemical Structure/Properties: Coenzyme Q10, also known as ubiquinone, is a benzoquinone with a long isoprenoid side chain. The “10” refers to the number of isoprenyl chemical subunits in its tail. It exists in two primary forms within the body: the oxidized form, ubiquinone, and the reduced form, ubiquinol,…
Biochemical Profile Classification: Water-soluble vitamin (B-complex family) Chemical Structure/Properties: Folate is a term for a family of related compounds based on a pteroylglutamic acid structure, composed of a pteridine ring, para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), and one or more glutamate residues. In nature (food folate), it typically exists in a reduced, polyglutamated form. The synthetic, oxidized, monoglutamate…
Procedure Overview & Indications An appendectomy is the surgical resection of the vermiform appendix. It is the standard-of-care treatment for acute appendicitis, a condition involving inflammation and infection of the appendix. The primary indication is to remove the inflamed organ before it ruptures, which can lead to peritonitis and sepsis. Other, less common indications include…
Biochemical Profile Classification: Fat-soluble Secosteroid Hormone Chemical Structure/Properties: Vitamin D exists primarily in two physiological forms: Ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2) and Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3). Chemically, they are secosteroids, meaning they possess a steroid nucleus with a broken B-ring. Due to their lipophilic nature, they require dietary lipids and bile salts for optimal micellar solubilization and absorption…
Pharmacological Classification Class: HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor (Statin); Lipid-modifying agent. ATC Code: C10AA05 (Cardiovascular system > Lipid modifying agents > Lipid modifying agents, plain > HMG CoA reductase inhibitors). Common Trade Names: Lipitor (Reference only; regional trade names vary). Mechanism of Action (MOA) Atorvastatin is a selective, competitive inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme that…
Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol): Biochemical Profile & Clinical Nutrition Biochemical Profile Classification: Fat-soluble Secosteroid (Prohormone); Subclass: Calciferols. Chemical Structure/Properties: Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) is characterized by a broken steroid ring structure (seco-steroid). It is chemically distinct from Ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2) in its side-chain structure. Unlike classic vitamins acting as co-factors, Vitamin D3 functions primarily as a…