Membrane contact metabolism

Luminal and Membrane Metabolism of Peptides and Proteins. In meaningful studies on peptide and protein drug absorption in the small intestine, it is prerequisite to distinguish among cavital, membrane contact, and intracellular drug metabolism.Cavital metabolism takes place in the lumen of the small intestine by enzymes such as trypsin, chymotrypsin, carboxypepti-dase, and elastase, which are secreted by the pancreas. Membrane contact metabolism is carried out by aminopeptidases lo-calized on the brush border membrane. Intracellular metabolism occurs inside of the cells. The known intra-celluar enzymes are cytoplasmic peptidases, prolidase, dipeptidase, and tripeptidase.A more detailed dis-cussion of this topic is presented in section Intestinal Absorption Barriers, later. 

Oligodendrocytes are present in the CNS as well and wrap around axons to form a myelin sheath. Myelin wraps into concentric layers that spiral around the axon. Gaps in the oligodendrocytes are the nodes of Ranvier, where the membrane maintains contact with extracellular fluid. The nodes serve to propagate the action potential in myelinated axons. Schwann cells perform an analogous function, myelinating axons in the peripheral nervous system. Not all neurons are myelinated, but myelination increases the metabolic efficiency of action potentials. Demyelination of neurons produces deficits in neuronal conduction, as is seen in multiple sclerosis. 

Hepatocytes make up 60-70% of the total number of liver cells. They have a well-organized intracellular structure with huge numbers of cell organelles to maintain the high metabolic profile. At the apical side or canalicular membrane the cell is specialized for the secretion of bile components. There are several ATP-dependent transport carriers located on this side of the membrane, which transport bile salts, lipids and xenobiotics into the canaliculus. On the sinusoidal side, the cells specialize in uptake and secretion of a wide variety of components. To increase the surface of the membrane for this exchange with the bloodstream, the sinusoidal domain of the membrane is equipped with irregular microvilli. The microvilli are embedded into the fluid and matrix components of the space of Disse and are in close contact with the sinusoidal blood because of the discontinuous and fenestrated SECs. To facilitate its metabolic functions numerous membrane transport mechanisms and receptors are situated in the membrane. 

The retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) is in intimate, anatomic, and functional contact with the retina. Separated from the retina by Bruch s membrane, the RPE serves to regulate nutrients to the retina, phagocytize retinal debris, remove metabolic end products, and control the visual cycle. From a mass transport perspective, the RPE represents the outer BRB. 

Workers are potentially exposed to a variety of substances during daily industrial operations. The OSHA estimates that a large segment of workers are simultaneously exposed to more than one substance and suffer from adverse effects. Adverse effects include many acute and chronic diseases (e.g., allergic sensitization, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, dermatitis, erythema, edema, irritation of the mucous membrane, irritation of the skin, kidney disease, liver disease, metabolic interferences, narcosis, neuropathy, ocular effects, odor effects, respiratory diseases, systemic toxicity). These should be properly addressed by concerned management and the individual worker to improve chemical safety. Workers come in contact directly or indirectly during different work conditions hence it is important to understand the possible adverse effects that these chemicals may cause vis-a-vis chemical safety. 

Desferrioxamine (DFO) is a trihydroaminic acid obtained from isolates of Streptomyces pilosus. Since 1963 it has been clinically used as an iron-chelating agent in patients with iron overload [261], DFO effectively chelates trivalent ions such as iron and Al, producing respectively ferrioxamine and aluminox-amine [12, 30, 260-269]. DFO displays rather complicated physicochemical characteristics. Unchelated DFO is a straight chained lipophilic molecule that can penetrate plasma membranes and undergo metabolic breakdown. In contact with Al, it twines itself around the metal to form stable hydrophilic... 

The placenta develops from a portion of the zygote and thus has the same genetic endowment as the developing fetus (78). The embryonic/fetal component consists of trophoblastic-derived chorionic villi/ which invade the maternal endometrium and are exposed directly to maternal blood in lake-like structures called lacunae. These villi create the large surface area necessary for maternal-fetal transfer in what becomes the intervillous space of the placenta. Here the maternal blood pressure supplies pulsatile blood flow in jetlike streams from the spiral arteries of the endometriunX/ to bathe the chorionic villi and allow for transfer of gaseS/ nutrientS/ and metabolic products. Biologically/ the human placenta is classified as a hemochorial placenta because maternal blood is in direct contact with the fetal chorionic membrane. It is this membrane that determines what is transferred to the fetus. 

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