Carbohydrate Metabolism
Carbohydrate metabolism entails the entire process of formation, breakdown, and the inter-conversion of carbohydrates. Therefore, carbohydrate metabolism is a biochemical process that aids in the supply of energy to the body cells. The most basic form of carbohydrates is the glucose that is broken down in the glycolysis process, enters the Krebs’s cycle, where it is oxidized to form the ATP compound that generates energy to the body cells. In the body cells, glucose is broken down into monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides to increase the surface area for the formation of the ATP element. The basic role of the three products is storing produce and storing energy used for general metabolism. On the other hand, glycan formation not only pays a role in availing energy to body cells but also in detecting and mitigating cancer in the body cells.
Preliminary studies have revealed that Thomsen‐ Friedenreich (TF)-related antigens (a disaccharide) play a vital role in mitigating malignant progression in the body cells. The Thomsen- Friedenreich (TF) antigen is essentially an inactive form of the MN group blood antigens. Studies have established that 90% of the human carcinomas contain the disaccharide. The GalNAc-containing glycans have also been associated with the cancer reduction in body cells. Even though the growths of tumors have been associated with genetic modifications, fluctuations in the state of cells also lead to tumor development. Essentially, the GalNAc-containing glycans constitute the Tf and Tn antigens, which are very critical in facilitating poor prognosis and thus reducing the chances of contracting cancerous infections. Due to their cancer mitigative features, the GalNAc-containing glycans and the Thomsen‐ Friedenreich (TF)-related antigen have been used in the manufacturing of vaccines used in the cancer diagnosis and therapeutics.