[Cellular energy metabolism: physiologic and pathologic aspects]

Abstract

Cellular homeostasis requires permanent energy production and consumption. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the major energy component for the cell. Its synthesis occurs mainly in mitochondria where the oxidative phosphorylations realise the coupling between oxygen consumption and phosphorylation of adenosine diphosphate. The anaerobic production of ATP plays an important role in the intermediary metabolism. The enzymatic complexes of the mitochondrial respiratory chain are energy transducers acting as proton pumps. In cardiomyocytes, the phosphocreatine circuit allows a substrate channelling between mitochondria and myofibrils. This metabolic compartmentation explains the difficulties of studying energetic metabolism in the beating heart and the lack of correlation between cardiac function and the usual energy parameters. Mitochondria are a potential site of action of anaesthetic agents. Lipophilic local anaesthetics impair cellular energy metabolism and mitochondrial ATP production. Such effects could be associated with toxic effects of these molecules. NMR or near-infrared spectroscopy are non invasive techniques for monitoring energetic metabolism in vivo. Clinical applications are developed for analysing brain, muscle or cardiac function in physiological and pathological conditions.