Question

you decide to do something about the problem underlying the current epidemic of obesity and diabetes. You design a drug that protects your organism from the toxic effects of fructose. Assuming your drug interferes with each of three processes: digestion, absorption and assimilation (metabolism), explain what fructose-specific mechanisms are inhibited/altered. Make sure your wonder-drug does NOT block uptake of glucose by cells

Answer 1

Negetive effects of fructose

Fructose has long term negetive effect when compared to glucose.Fructose is converted to glucose before converting it into energy.This conversion occurs in liver. if one consume more fructose than the liver can handle it get deposited as cholesterol and triglycerides.

Absorption of Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are classified as monosacharides,disacharides and polysacharides.Monosacharides such as glucose and fructose are the simplest form of sugars which can be absorbed directly into the blood stream.All other polysaccharides and disacharides have to be broken down to their simpler form before absorption.Fructose and glucose are primarily absorbed in small intestine.When disacharide like sucrose reaches intestine it is broken down to glucose and fructose by the enzyme Sucrase. Glucose transporter GLUT 5 is the transporter of fructose which helps in diffusion of fructose to the blood stream.

While designing a wonder drug which prevent the toxic effect of fructose,the following factors may be considered:

1.)By inhibiting the enzyme Sucrase the break down of sucrose can be decreased thereby decreasing the amount of available fructose at the small intestine.

2.)By inhibiting the GLUT 5 , Fructose absorption to the blood can be prevented.

3) By inhibiting Ketohexokinase enzyme: Ketohexokinase is the enzyme which metabolizes fructose to fructose 1 phosphate.