How do poisons affect cellular respiration and creatine?

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Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a molecular compound that provides energy for all the activities that occur inside the cells of all living organisms. It consists of a carbon adenine ring, a ribose sugar and three phosphorous groups attached to each other with oxygen molecules. Energy is released when enzymes break the third phosphate bond, leaving one free phosphorous group and a molecule of adenosine diphosphate (ADP).

In an individual’s cells, the most efficient method for ATP production is cellular respiration, most commonly aerobic cellular respiration, which employs oxygen to convert a metabolite into carbon dioxide, water and energy. Another method for ATP production (used primarily with respect to muscle tissue) is a process employing creatine phosphate, a high energy molecule that provides an immediate source of energy.

Aerobic cellular respiration commonly involves the breakdown of glucose into carbon dioxide and water, producing molecules of ATP in the process. This process occurs in four main stages: glycolysis, a preparatory reaction phase, the Krebs (or citric acid) cycle and the electron transport chain (ETC) (oxidative phosphorylation). During glycolysis, glucose in the cytoplasm of the cell is broken into two molecules of pyruvate, producing two molecules of ATP, two water molecules and two NADH molecules. During the next phase (the preparatory reaction phase), the pyruvate enters the mitochondrion of the cell and is oxidized to a two-carbon acetyl group. In the Krebs cycle, which occurs in the matrix of the mitochondrion of the cell, the two-carbon aceytl molecules are oxidized and produce two ATP molecules. Finally, during the electron transport chain, which occurs in the inner mitochondrial membrane of the cell, energy is released, producing 36 to 38 ATP molecules.

During high intensity exercise, however, the body uses ATP rapidly, and the production of ATP in muscle cells must be regenerated quickly. Creatine phosphate is a phosphorylated creatine molecule formed from parts of three amino acids: glycine, arginine and methionine. It is synthesized naturally in the kidney, liver and pancreas and transported to muscle cells via the blood stream for storage. When rapid reproduction of ATP is necessary, an enzyme known as creatine kinase is used to break down creatine phosphate in muscle cells, creating a free phosphate molecule and a net release of energy (ATP). The process is reversed to regenerate creatine phosphate. This process is known as the creatine phosphate system.

Poisons affect and/or concern cellular respiration and the creatine phosphate system in various ways. With respect to cellular respiration, a number of poisons have been found to specifically disrupt the process, stopping the producing of ATP. Poisons such as cyanide, rotenone, antimycin and melanote, known as electron transport inhibitors, block electron transport in cellular respiration, preventing electrons from being transported from one carrier to the next. The poisons 2,4-Dinitrophenol and carbonyl cyanide p-[trifluoromethoxy]-phenyl-hydrazone, known as uncoupling agents, disrupt the chemiosmotic gradient during the electron transport chain. The poison fluoracetate blocks a vital step in the Krebs cycle. With respect to the creatine phosphate system, poisons that affect kidney, liver and pancreas function will also affect the creatine phosphate system, preventing or reducing the production of ATP.

Moreover, with respect to the creatine phosphate system, today synthetically produced creatine, marketed as an energy booster, can be taken as a dietary supplement. While there has been some concern that such synthetically produced creatine is a poison itself, which may result in digestive, muscular and cardiovascular problems, most studies have shown that, provided the substance is pure (free of toxins) and taken as indicated, it is generally safe. However, industrial production of such substance may result in harmful contaminants or poisons that, if ingested, could affect the creatine phosphate system, as well as other functions of the body. In any synthetic creatine product, heavy metals should be less than 10 part per million (ppm), arsenic should be less than 3 ppm, discyandiamide should be less than 30 ppm and dihydrotriane should be non-detectable.

Resource by Will

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