Nuclear Encoded Mitochondrial Proteins in Metabolite Transport and Oxidation Pathway Connecting Metabolism of Nutrients

In the mitochondria, there are ongoing processes essential to the survival of cells associated with the production of energy ending in the oxidative phosphorylation and the formation of ATP, constituting a form of energy for majority of metabolic processes. Except for nutrient oxidation in the citric acid cycle interfacing with the process of oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondria are linked to a number of metabolic pathways ongoing directly in mitochondria or indirectly in cell compartments by serving substrates. Mitochondrial activities maintenance requires continual draw of intermediates from cytosol through the double mitochondrial membrane as well as transport in the reverse direction. Interconnection and regulation of all the processes are mediated by transporters and carriers, activities of which are affected by cell and body requirements. In the chapter, the main transport systems localized in membranes of mitochondria, their regulation, affection, and disorders in the background of mitochondria aberrant functions are described. Voltage-dependent anion channels, translocase of mitochondrial outer membrane, deoxynucleotide carrier, ADP/ATP nucleotide translocase, and phosphate carrier in mitochondrial inner membrane are among them. In more detail, the pyruvate carrier and its abnormal activity, but also others as di- and tri-carboxylate, glutamate, and ornithine carriers, are characterized. The uncoupling protein, as solute carrier family members, involvement is also mentioned

Low Concentrated Fractionalized Nanofibers as Suitable Fillers for Optimization of Structural–Functional Parameters of Dead Space Gel Implants after Rectal Extirpation

Dead space after rectal resection in colorectal surgery is an area with a high risk of complications. In this study, our goal was to develop a novel 3D implant based on composite hydrogels enriched with fractionalized nanofibers. We employed, as a novel approach in abdominal surgery, the application of agarose gels functionalized with fractionalized nanofibers on pieces dozens of microns large with a well-preserved nano-substructure. This retained excellent cell accommodation and proliferation, while nanofiber structures in separated islets allowed cells a free migration throughout the gel. We found these low-concentrated fractionalized nanofibers to be a good tool for structural and biomechanical optimization of the 3D hydrogel implants. In addition, this nano-structuralized system can serve as a convenient drug delivery system for a controlled release of encapsulated bioactive substances from the nanofiber core. Thus, we present novel 3D nanofiber-based gels for controlled release, with a possibility to modify both their biomechanical properties and drug release intended for 3D lesions healing after a rectal extirpation, hysterectomy, or pelvic exenteration