Citric acid cycle

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Overview of the citric acid cycle

The citric acid cycle (CAC) also known as the TCA cycle (tricarboxcylic acid cycle) or the Krebs cycle is a series of enzyme-catalyzed chemical reactions that allow for aerobic respiration to occur within the mitochondria of the cell. When this cycle or its associated parts[1] are not functioning properly subsequent fatigue may take place.

Citric acid cycle in ME/CFS[edit | edit source]

A 2016 paper started to define how and why people with ME/CFS might experience poorly functioning cellular respiration[2]while a review of published papers [3] added empirical evidence of a relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and fatigue.

According to Ron Davis, speaking at the 2016 IACFS/ME conference, "ME/CFS patients have a marked decrease in some of the Citric Acid Cycle metabolites while mitochondrial mutations generally cause an increase."[4]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex".
  2. Fluge, Øystein; Mella, Olav; Bruland, Ove; Risa, Kristin; Dyrstad, Sissel E.; Alme, Kine; Rekeland, Ingrid G.; Sapkota, Dipak; Røsland, Gro V. (December 22, 2016). "Metabolic profiling indicates impaired pyruvate dehydrogenase function in myalgic encephalopathy/chronic fatigue syndrome". JCI Insight. 1 (21). doi:10.1172/jci.insight.89376. ISSN 2379-3708.
  3. Filler, Kristin; Lyon, Debra; Bennett, James; McCain, Nancy; Elswick, Ronald; Lukkahatai, Nada; Saligan, Leorey N. (April 13, 2014). "Association of mitochondrial dysfunction and fatigue: A review of the literature". BBA Clinical. 1: 12–23. doi:10.1016/j.bbacli.2014.04.001. ISSN 2214-6474. PMC 4136529. PMID 25147756.
  4. "Open Medicine Foundation". facebook.com. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  5. "Krebs / citric acid cycle | Cellular respiration | Biology | Khan Academy". YouTube. Khan Academy. December 11, 2009.