Question

According to the result, the patient has: 1. Massive damage to the mitochondria 2. The metabolite level results of (see table below) Metabolite Levels found in patient (u.M) Normal levels (uM Glucose NAD NADH 80 10 400 100 75 50

1.The deceased patient had NAD+ and NADH levels very different from healthy subjects, but why isn't his glucose level drastically different?

2. Please predict the levels of FAD and FADH2 . Explain. Taking note he had cyanide poisining

Answer 1

Ans 1)The level of glucose has not decreased in the deceased patient because during the time of the death the patient’s blood had high concentration of glucose running in blood. The metabolism and regulation process stops when a patient dies but due to hyperglycemia condition, the glucose level tend to stay high. The deceased patient must be suffering from high glucose or diabetic condition which justifies that the glucose level is not drastically different in patient and normal person.

Ans 2) In this the mitochondria is massively damaged. On top of it due to cyanide poisoning it blocks the electron transport in inner mitochondrial membrane which causes ultimate death. In this case there is loss of electrons from NADH and FADH2 which regenerates the NAD+ and FAD. The level of FAD is high when there is cyanide poisoning along with damage to mitochondria.