Chondrocytes Embedded in Agarose Generate Distinct Metabolic Heat Profiles Based on Media Carbon Sources.

ABSTRACT: Human chondrocytes are responsible for cartilage repair and homeostasis through metabolic production of precursors to collagen and other matrix components. This metabolism is sensitive both to the availability of media energy sources as well as the local temperature. Central carbon metabolites such as glucose and glutamine are essential not only for producing energetic compounds such as ATP and NADH, but also for assembling collagen and aggrecan from non-essential amino acid precursors. The rate at which this metabolism takes place directly relates to temperature: a moderate increase in temperature results in faster enzyme kinetics and faster metabolic processes. Furthermore, these biological processes are exothermic and will generate heat as a byproduct, further heating the local environm

SUBMITTER: Myers E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12391224 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature